In Tribute to Glen Henry Mitchel, Jr.
An outpouring of support for the future of theoretical physics
An anonymous $1 million matching gift in memory of the late Glen Henry Mitchel, Jr., has inspired a collective effort to honor his legacy. Gift by gift, ranging from $1,000 to $200,000, Glen’s community came together to complete the match, raising $2 million total to continue his legacy through the Mitchel Postdoctoral Scholars Career Development Fund at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP).
KITP’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program has produced more than 250 of the world’s leading physicists over the past 45 years. These early-career scientists go on to global leadership positions and forge new fields of study.
“It is wonderful that so many generous supporters of KITP, along with Glen’s family and friends, have come together to support KITP’s postdoctoral scholars. This endowment not only honors Glen’s memory but also reflects his deep understanding of the power of physics and shared passion for our mission,” said KITP Director and Gluck Professor Lars Bildsten.
“I knew Glen Mitchel through my family and our shared love of fly fishing, and over time he became a dear friend,” said Loren Booth of the Otis Booth Foundation. “He was wickedly funny, incredibly bright, and always eager to learn something new. We hope our contribution to this fund will celebrate his memory and inspire future postdoctoral scholars and other leaders in our community to follow his example. Glen was an extraordinary man, and we are honored to help commemorate his life.”
The Mitchel Fund will support postdoctoral scholars by helping them purchase research equipment, host colleagues for research collaborations, and participate in academic conferences to present their work.
Bruno Scheihing is a theoretical physicist and KITP postdoctoral scholar. His research focuses on the strong nuclear force and the inner structure of atoms. Bruno joined KITP after earning his Ph.D. from MIT in 2024.
“Support of fundamental science is crucial. KITP wouldn’t be able to push the frontiers of knowledge without donor support. Just knowing someone has your back — that they’re willing to support the pursuit of an idea that could grow into an entire field — makes all the difference,” said Bruno.
Glen, who passed away in 2024, was a lifelong Friend of KITP and always attended KITP’s Public Lectures and Chalk Talks.
“Over his lifetime, my father developed a passionate interest in physics. This passion led him to attend lectures at UC Santa Barbara and connect with faculty there. It means so much to me and my family to see an endowment in his name supporting the collaboration and continued education of postdoctoral scholars. Lifelong learning was extremely important to my father, and he would be so happy to see postdoctoral scholars coming together to share their research and further discovery in the field of physics,” said Glen’s daughter Mia.
Glen served as an Army officer in Italy in World War II and then studied engineering at the California Institute of Technology. After graduating from Caltech, Glen founded an electrical contracting business in Los Angeles that completed major municipal and corporate projects across the state. He later led an industrial import company and an electrical distribution manufacturer to significant growth.
In 2012, Glen introduced his friend and philanthropist Charlie Munger to Bildsten. That introduction led, over time, to a deep collaboration between Charlie Munger and KITP that yielded the Charles T. Munger Physics Residence for visiting scientists. Glen helped oversee the project and was often spotted on-site for surprise inspections during construction. Accommodating more than 700 visiting physicists every year, the Munger Residence has transformed the experience of a visit to the KITP.
“After I finished working with Glen to build the Munger Physics Residence, I would call him every few months to share KITP’s latest scientific achievements,” said Bildsten. “Though I can no longer make that call, I am certain he would be overjoyed to see how this fund is enabling the next generation of scientists by supporting their research, enabling them to share discoveries at conferences around the world, and providing the tools they need to push the boundaries of theoretical physics.”
Published November 2025
It is wonderful that so many generous supporters of KITP, along with Glen’s family and friends, have come together to support KITP’s postdoctoral scholars. This endowment not only honors Glen’s memory but also reflects his deep understanding of the power of physics and shared passion for our mission.
Lars Bildsten, KITP Director and Gluck Professor