The Physical Jew

[Aliza]

His mom was Jewish, so

Hans Bethe

totally counts. He co-discovered how stars produce energy.  Not exactly a minor issue, but did a lot of other very important work in quantum physics as well. I have a sad personal anecdote that always reminds me of him, although I never met him. When I was a student in New York (he happened to live in a retirement home upstate at the same time), I was given the task to give a talk about Bethe's ansatz for describing spin waves in matter. While I was preparing the talk, he passed away, so the first half of my talk turned  into a Eulogy.

To honor his unique character, I showed footage of him giving a lecture on quantum mechanics IN HIS RETIREMENT HOME when he was 93, something that I think is one of the greatest things ever. I want to be that guy when I'm old

That's so sad.

I hope in the future, young people will be clamoring to reference your work with as much admiration.