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Honoring the life and legacy of Dan Greenbaum
2024
Daniel S. Greenbaum
HEI President Emeritus
1952-2024
It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news that HEI President Emeritus Daniel S. Greenbaum has passed away. Dan was widely respected both personally and professionally around the world, and everyone who knew him understands what a tragic loss this is to the entire scientific and environmental health community.
Dan joined HEI in early 1994 as its president. Under his nearly 30-year leadership and vision, Dan guided the organization toward unprecedented success and growth, strengthening its unique public/private partnership with industry and government. Dan worked tirelessly to ensure that HEI funded the rigorous, trusted science needed to inform policy decisions that improved air quality while supporting advancements in technologies for cleaner burning vehicles with fewer emissions.
Prior to joining HEI, Dan served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, leading the Commonwealth's responses to air and water pollution, and solid and hazardous waste management. During his tenure, DEP implemented nationally recognized pollution prevention and hazardous waste clean-up programs.
Dan was a member of the U.S. National Academies Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology and vice-chair of its Committee for Air Quality Management in the United States. He served as Chair of the Board of the International Council on Clean Transportation, helping lead its work to achieve clean fuels and cars worldwide.
He received an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award from the U.S. EPA for his contributions to advancing clean air and the Haagen Smit Award from the California Air Resources Board for his and HEI's contributions to reducing air pollution.
Dan’s work and impact at HEI will forever remain visible and tangible. He was a great leader, mentor, colleague, and friend to everyone in the HEI community and his work will continue to guide and inspire us for many years to come.
Please join us in keeping Dan’s family in your thoughts: Deborah Cramer, Dan’s wife and best friend of more than 50 years, his two daughters Abigail Greenbaum and Susannah Cramer-Greenbaum and their husbands Matthew Hudnall and Ian Petrow, and his three grandchildren, Naomi, Alfred, and Jacob. Please send donations in his honor to The Open Door, 2025 Sawyer Free Library Sustainability, or Essex County Greenbelt.
