To: The
St. Lawrence Community
From: President
Daniel F. Sullivan
Date: March 20, 2009
Subject: In
Memory: Emeritus Professor of Physics Donald C. Peckham
We say good-bye to another of St. Lawrence’s legendary faculty leaders, Emeritus Professor of Physics Donald C. Peckham, who passed away yesterday, March 19. Don joined the St. Lawrence faculty in 1954 as assistant professor of physics, after completing his education at Oberlin College, the University of Michigan and Penn State University; then serving as an officer in the Army Signal Corps. Promoted to associate professor in 1957, Don became head of department in 1961, was promoted to professor in 1965; and in 1971, named Alvinza Hayward Professor of Physics. In 1976, he served for a year as acting vice president and dean of the University. Awarded the J. Calvin Keene Award in 1985, for "his outspoken insistence on excellence" in teaching and scholarship, Don was cited as "a fine teacher of elementary and advanced physics," who has "tirelessly helped those who surround him to teach better."
An active researcher as well as teacher, Don received a National Science Foundation fellowship for study and research in optics at Colorado State University and a grant from the National Science Foundation, allowing him to return to Penn State for further study in fluid dynamics. He retired from the faculty in 1986.
The Canton and New York State communities benefitted from Don’s dedication to education, as he served as a long-time member of Canton School Board, and as an executive committee member of the Board of Directors of the New York State School Boards Association. Other community commitments included the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, the University Chorus and the SLU Physics Chorus.
Ann joins me in extending condolence to Don’s widow, Betty, their children, grandchildren (including Kimberly Cooper '11), colleagues, and former students. Lawrence Funeral Home in Canton will coordinate arrangements. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. April 4 at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro officiating. Donations may be made to the Society of United Helpers or to the First Presbyterian Church of Canton.
