William Bruce McAdam (1932-2026)

Bruce McAdam, photo courtesy Jan McAdam

One of the "originals" in radio astronomy - Bruce McAdam - died quietly at home on the night of Monday 27 April 2026, aged 94, some 30 years after his retirement from the University of Sydney.

Bruce McAdam was one of the "originals" in radio astronomy. Bruce's first paper titled 'A survey of radio sources at a frequency of 159 Mc/s' was published in 1959. He was full of excellent stories about the Cambridge vs. USyd controversy on radio source counts, having been in the research groups at both schools. And he was in Cambridge in the mid 60s at the peak of the controversies. One such example is Steady State vs Big Bang.

Bruce was a great participant at the School of Physics at The University of Sydney and maintained his interest in Physics to the last.  Longstanding members of SIfA and the ASA will remember Bruce and Janice at many functions and ASA meetings over the years, even long after he retired.  It was his long service to the Australian astronomical community and the ASA as a Foundation member that prompted the ASA to waive fees for all members with 50+ years of membership. A line in his email reply acknowledging that says so much about him - "Stay active and support young members!”

Bruce was very helpful to grad students - whether or not he was their supervisor. Moreover, you would come away from a discussion with Bruce carrying a sheet of paper on which he had noted the important points.

Authors: John O'Byrne, Associate Professor, and Dr Gordon Robertson, Associate, School of Physics, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney.

Bruce McAdam was one of the "originals" in radio astronomy. He died quietly at home some 30 years after his retirement from the University of Sydney.

Bruce's first paper titled 'A survey of radio sources at a frequency of 159 Mc/s' was published in 1959. He was full of excellent stories about the Cambridge vs. USyd controversy on radio source counts, having been in the research groups at both schools. And he was in Cambridge in the mid 60s at the peak of the controversies. ONe such example is Steady State vs Big Bang.

Bruce was a great participant at the School of Physics at The University of Sydney and maintained his interest in Physics to the last.  Longstanding members of SIfA and the ASA will remember Bruce and Janice at many functions and ASA meetings over the years, even long after he retired.  It was his long service to the Australian astronomical community and the ASA as a Foundation member that prompted the ASA to waive fees for all members with 50+ years of membership. A line in his email reply acknowledging that says so much about him - "Stay active and support young members!”

Bruce was very helpful to grad students - whether or not he was their supervisor. Moreover, you would come away from a discussion with Bruce carrying a sheet of paper on which he had noted the important points.