A retired University professor emeritus of physics, Eugen J. Skudrzyk, 76, died last Friday at Centre Community Hospital.

Skudrzyk, a renowned acoustic researcher, came to Penn State in 1955 from the Technical University of Vienna, Austria. He retired from the University in 1978, but remained active in the acoustics department of the Applied Research Laboratory.

Skudrzyk's research contributed to a number of branches of acoustics and encompassed both the mathematical foundations and engineering applications of his field.

He was awarded the "Rayleigh Medal" by the Council of the Institute of Acoustics of the United Kingdom and the first Silver Medal in Theoretical and Applied Acoustics by the Acoustical Society of America in 1983. He was scheduled to receive the Society's Gold Medal in May.

While in Vienna, Skudrzyk designed the acoustics for "town halls" -- among the largest halls in Europe. He also designed acoustical absorbents for construction of those buildings.

"He never stopped working," said Larry Pharo, associate professor of engineering research. "The nearest thing to play was designing new ways to develop photographs," Pharo said.

Photography was Skudrzyk's hobby, and one of his developments was used by Eastman Kodak Co. to improve its film, Pharo said.

Skudrzyk authored four books and authored or co-authored more than 170 scientific articles and papers. He majored in electrical engineering at London's Imperial College of Science and Technology and earned graduate degrees in physics and mathematics at the University of Berlin.

Skudrzyk is survived by his wife, Liselotte Stummer Skudryzk; daughter, Heide Skudrzyk, of State College; and a sister, Irmgard Skudrzyk, of Vienna.

A memorial service date will be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the E. J. Skudrzyk Memorial Fund in the acoustics department of the applied science building.

Larry and Micki Pharo provided the information for this article. Larry Pharo was a colleague of Skudrzyk for many years.