Rein Uritam was born in Estonia and moved to the United States with his family in 1949. He graduated as valedictorian from Moorhead High School in 1957. While in high school he was involved in several theater productions.

Uritam graduated from Concordia College in 1961 with majors in physics and mathematics and a minor in philosophy. He earned his master’s degree in physics from Oxford University. At Oxford, Uritam was a Marshall Scholar, one of 24 awarded nationally. Uritam earned his doctorate from Princeton University in 1968.

Uritam is currently a professor of physics at Boston College where his research areas include particle theory and the history and philosophy of science. From 1982 to 1996 he was chair of the physics department. He is currently the graduate program director.

From 1991 to 2001, Uritam served as president of the Association of Marshall Scholars. He also served with the British Ambassador on the national selection committee for Marshall Scholars. Uritam attended the 50th birthday celebration in 1998 at Buckingham Palace for Charles, Prince of Wales, who closely supported the work of the association. For his service, he was knighted and awarded membership in the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. The investiture was January 17, 2002.

Uritam has also been involved with the Dover Church in Dover, Massachusetts. He has served in nearly every position in the church and is currently Moderator, which is the presiding officer of the church.

Uritam is married to Justine, and he has two children, Eliot and Jonathan. He lives in Dover, Massachusetts.