Memorial Service for Emeritus Professor James Donaghy Scheduled for Jan. 7 in Lee Chapel
The Service in Memory and Celebration of longtime physics professor Dr. Jim Donaghy, who passed away on Dec. 4 after a short illness, will be Monday, Jan. 7, at 12 p.m. in Lee Chapel. Burial was in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 10.
Donaghy received his B.S. degree in physics with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Florida and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Early in his career he taught at Virginia Military Institute and was also employed by the USAF Operations Research unit in Hawaii and in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was a consultant for the Fusion Energy Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1984-88, and was a research collaborator at Brookhaven National Lab from 1988-89. He taught physics at Washington and Lee from 1967 until his retirement in 2005.
At W&L Donaghy taught classes in general physics, modern physics, natural philosophy, energy and the environment, circuits, electronics, nuclear physics, electromagnetism, solid state physics and statistical physics.
“Quiet and unassuming, Jim was never one to draw attention to his many talents and accomplishments,” said Ronald Reese, professor of physics at W&L and a longtime colleague of Donaghy’s. “We in the department all enjoyed his lively Irish wit and his willingness to teach, mentor and guide our students, particularly in small classes and research. We will miss him.”
Donaghy is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Cori Donaghy, his daughter and son-in-law, Erin and William Hickok, a number of grandchildren, and his brother Brian Donaghy.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, or the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program.
