A past professor has been honored with the dedication of the physics addition.

The Zaffarano Physics Addition, located between Physics and Wilhelm halls, was renamed for Daniel Zaffarano on Wednesday.

About 80 colleagues, friends and family attended the dedication of the 37-year-old addition. Speaking at the dedication was Eli Rosenberg, chairman of the physics department and professor of physics and astronomy, who highlighted Zaffarano’s contributions to the physics department as department chairman from 1961 to 1971. Zaffarano was a professor emeritus in physics and astronomy who passed away Dec. 3, 2004 in Ames at the age of 86.

Rosenberg said Zaffarano’s legacy did not end when he left the department, and he was a major instrument in securing the funding for the Physics Addition.

“It’s our honor to have the building named after him,” Rosenberg said.

Suzanne Zaffarano, Daniel’s wife, was also at the dedication. She said she and her family were “really touched” the building was being named after her late husband and was gratified to know her husband will be remembered.

“It was home for us for some many years,” she said.

Erica Zaffarano, Daniel’s daughter, echoed her mother’s sentiments. She said the building was their playground growing up and always a comfortable spot.

While Daniel was chairman, he helped secure more funding for the department and hire more faculty than past chairpersons, Rosenberg said. In one year, the department went from 30 faculty members to 50, Rosenberg said. Zaffarano’s funding also had a hand in the development of the Molecular Biology building, Rosenberg said.

“His common theme was being generous in support,” he said.

Zaffarano was also dean of the Graduate College from 1971 until his retirement in 1988. While dean, he started the Zaffarano Award to honor graduate students who have their work published.

The Physics Addition was completed in 1968 and the renaming was approved by the Board of Regents in February 2005.