By George L. England Sr.
Dan Fink was awarded on October 27, 2010, the Fubini Award for his Department of Defense (DOD) service in the 1960s including time spent as Deputy Director Defense Research and Engineering (Strategic and Space Systems). He gave freely of his time to DOD advisory activities, including 21 years as a member of the Defense Science Board, 30 years as a member of the Defense Intelligence Agency Advisory Board, and an extended period of time on the Army Science Board. Also one of his many achievements was when he chaired the NASA Advisory Council.
Former Secretary of Defense, Harold Brown characterized Dan as someone whose technical skills and his ability to manage difficult programs and deal with equally difficult people. His dedication to the United States national security was invaluable in formulating our weapons systems components of the deterrent strategy. It was this that served our nation during the most dangerous period of the Cold War.
Former NASA Administrator Robert Frosch described his interactions with Dan as "especially valuable, as they form a different angle than usually received...he was always a supportive source of independent information and views, always valuable, not least for being sometimes pungently expressed."
The Fubini Award is awarded to an individual who best exemplifies the extended contributions and leadership in advisory activities and personal service to the United States.