Michael Mazarakis

April 25, 1937 -- January 23, 2026

Dr. Michael G. Mazarakis, beloved husband, father, and physicist greatly esteemed among the international power modulation and fusion research community, completed the book of his life on earth at the age of 88. He was employed at Sandia National Laboratories to the time of his death, still looking eagerly ahead to fulfill projects and technologies he had advanced over his 44-year career at Sandia and five decades in his field. He is sorely missed.

Michael entered this world on a Palm Sunday in Volos, Greece, the youngest of four children. He lived through malaria and typhoid, the Second World War and ensuing occupations, spoke of escapes in the night, and years later would recite to his own young children a song from his childhood imploring the little moon to light the way as Greek children ventured secretly to school by night to learn to read and write in their forbidden native language.

Mike received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in physics from the National University of Athens, a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of Paris (Sorbonne), and a second Ph.D. in physics from the University of Pennsylvania. Before coming to Sandia, he continued postgraduate work with the Physics Department at Princeton University, taught at Rutgers, became Vice President and Director of the experimental program with the Fusion Energy Corporation in Princeton, and was Research Physicist with Argonne National Laboratory.

Michael published more than 200 papers in refereed magazines and conference proceedings.

Whereas many of his fellow foreign students returned to Europe, Michael believed in the American dream and persevered over many years to be naturalized and earn the nameplate he cherished: "M Mazarakis - American." The centennial anniversary book of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), where he once served as Vice President over the Chicago chapter, includes his quote:

"You can achieve anything you want in the US if you work very hard. Nobody will tell you you cannot."

Michael lived by those words.

He never spoke of his accomplishments, always looking ahead to what more he could achieve. But the seminal work he produced throughout his distinguished career, from his Ph.D. dissertations until the time of his death, has lasting impact on the next generation of pulsed power technology and the training and mentorship of many who follow in the field. His work continues to be developed both in national labs and in the private sector, with pivotal research in particle beam physics, accelerator development, Z-pinch physics, magnetic and inertial fusion, flash radiography, nuclear physics and technology, and nuclear astrophysics. Most recently he supported the Scorpius accelerator project currently being installed in Nevada, where he eagerly anticipated being present at its commissioning.

Michael's was never a solo act. He placed utmost value on the support within his family in addition to the teamwork and collaborations which fuel understanding and creativity within the scientific community. The numerous individuals who pooled together their knowledge and curiosity with his in order to achieve a vast array of discoveries and successes - these people gave his life purpose and fulfillment.

The IEEE International Power Modulation and High Voltage Conference posthumously bestowed on Michael the Sol Schneider Award "for over five decades of technical excellence and service to the Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference and to particle accelerator technology for the fusion research community," recognizing his extensive service, contributions and leadership, both technically and administratively.

His love of science, international collaboration and travel spurred another passion as he effectively learned to communicate in French, Russian, and Spanish in addition to English and his native Greek. Boxes of correspondence in multiple languages attest to lasting friendships and devotion to family that spanned continents and over half a century.

Above all these accomplishments, Michael was aware that his merit would not carry him into eternity. He developed a deep respect for God's Word, cherished a friendship with a pastor who had been brought back from the grave, and delighted in conversations stemming from his 3" x 4" Ancient Greek New Testament and magnifying glass that suddenly validated the six years of ancient Greek he was forced to take growing up in Greece.

Although Michael was expected to be with us for at least four months to a year, God took him in a mere four weeks. He never had the opportunity to say thank yous and goodbyes. But he is no longer the bent and shuffling old gentleman of recent years, sparking concern when he walked over uneven sidewalks or into crowded laboratories; he is now dancing in the presence of His Savior. Michael's ever-deepening relationship with Christ Jesus and the fullness of the Holy Spirit gave him the hope of seeing his cherished colleagues, friends and family once more in that same glorious Presence to embrace and say thank you in person for all the precious years of purpose and fulfillment together. Until that moment, we are left with Ephesians 1:12-24 and Romans 8:9-17.

Michael is survived by his wife Carolyn of 36 years and children Gerar, Elisabeth and Alexander, along with beloved nieces and nephews and their famiies in Greece: Anthie, Ephy, Helen, Makis and Anty.

You are missed, Lovamou! See you again soon.