Herzog, an astrophysicist, died at his home in Northridge on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Herzog had spent the past five years as chair of CSUN's Physics and Astronomy Department, helping to develop its planetarium and cementing the university's relationship with the National Science Foundation, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Herzog also served as co-director of the National Science Foundation's California Field Center for teacher-training courses. The federally-funded program offers classes for science teachers.

"Dr. Herzog was a dedicated faculty member," said Edward J. Carroll, Jr., dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. "He cared deeply about Cal State Northridge and was devoted to nurturing our students. I personally felt a very close bond with Adrian in our work together. He was an important catalyst in advancing strategic planning in the College of Science and Mathematics. I will miss him."

Herzog was born in Basel, Switzerland, and moved to the United States as a young boy. He grew up in California.

Herzog enjoyed politics and joined the Democratic Party as a teenager. While in college, he was part of Robert Kennedy's California presidential campaign and was in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel the night the candidate was fatally shot.

Herzog earned his bachelor's degree in astronomy from UCLA in 1970, his master's in astronomy from San Diego State University in 1972 and his Ph.D. in astronomy from New Mexico State University, Las Cruses, in 1977.

While at Las Cruces, Herzog did extensive research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, working on the Very Large Array (VRL) project. Well before the Voyager encounters with Jupiter, Herzog's observations showed that the Jovian satellite, Europa, had a strangely mottled surface. The spacecraft later showed a cracked, icy surface, possibly covering an ocean that could support primitive life.

In 1978 Herzog joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming, where he taught introductory astronomy classes and served as director of the university's planetarium.

He came to CSUN in 1981 and taught a variety of astronomy courses. His research at CSUN focused on sunspot activity and the associate energy balance of the sun's outer layers. He designed new instruments and systems of acquiring data at the university's San Fernando Observatory and worked hard to get the funding for and to provide hands-on training for students.

In 1990, he took on the responsibility of directing the development of CSUN's new planetarium. He continued to oversee the planetarium's growth even after he was named chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 1996.

Herzog was also an avid railroad enthusiast. He served as vice president for research for the Railroad Passenger Association of California, a statewide lobbying group. He also served as vice president of research for the United Rail Passenger Alliance, a national alliance of state passenger associations.

He is survived by his wife, Dora. In lieu of flowers, his family wishes that contributions be made to the Adrian D. Herzog Memorial Fund, c/o Barbara Caretto, Cal State Northridge, College of Science and Mathematics, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330-8238. Please make checks out to CSUN Foundation. On the memo line of the check, write Adrian D. Herzog Memorial Fund. Scholarships from this fund will support students in the Physics and Astronomy Department.