Alvin Tollestrup’s Achievements Relevant to Experiments – Recollections

This presentation will cover Alvin Tollestrup’s achievements relevant to experiments he initiated and participated in, after he arrived at Fermilab in the mid-1970’s. I will focus on his unique impact on the “Collider Detector at Fermilab” (CDF) experiment, which Alvin initiated and led at its start, and which he co-led for ten more years, until 1992. The CDF Collaboration became international due to his forward- looking initiative. The evidence for (1994) and then the observation of the top quark (1995) by CDF, benefitted from Alvin’s insight, wisdom and penetrating questions as he was heading the CDF-internal top quark review Committee. In addition to CDF, I will also discuss Alvin’s involvement in the creation of the Astrophysics Center at Fermilab, and his interest and involvement in associated research. All along, I will be referring to his continuous recruiting, mentoring, encouragement and promotion of young researchers who owe a lot to his physics intuition, guidance and support. The “Tollestrup Award for Postdoctoral Research”, sponsored annually by the Universities Research Association (URA), is a tribute to Fermilab’s celebrated scientist. The information presented here is based on personal recollections, as well as recollections of colleagues who had the privilege to work with Alvin and who experienced his wisdom and his friendship during the years.