Arnold Tubis

Arnold Tubis was a physicist, educator, author, and lifelong student of the science of music. After earning his PhD in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Arnold joined the faculty at Purdue University, where he became Professor Emeritus and inspired generations of students through his teaching and research. Throughout his career, he maintained a deep fascination with the mathematics and acoustics of music, developing courses that explored the relationship between science and musical sound. Following his retirement, Arnold and his wife moved to Carlsbad, California, where he became a devoted volunteer at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music. He generously shared his knowledge by leading presentations for fellow volunteers on topics ranging from the musical saw and other unusual instruments to the science of sound. Arnold also enriched countless museum tours with his unique blend of scholarship, curiosity, and enthusiasm. In addition to his work in acoustics, Arnold was an accomplished author of books on origami, reflecting the same creativity and analytical mind that defined his life’s work. His passion for learning and teaching left a lasting impression on students, museum visitors, colleagues, and friends alike.