Fielding Merwin Mcgehee Jr.

Fielding Merwin McGehee, Jr., long time resident of Prescott AZ, died May 10, 2009. Born November 17, 1924 in Natchez, Mississippi to Fielding M. McGehee, Sr. and Clara (Lattie) Reber McGehee. Married to Helen F. Ewell of Charlottesville, VA since 1946. Dr. McGehee held BS and MS degrees in physics from the Unviersity of Alabama, and a PhD in physics from the University of Virginia. He worked many years as an operatons analyst for the US government and for private industry. He then became a professor, teaching physics at several colleges, including Haile Selassie I University in Ethiopia as well as Prescott College. He developed the physics department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautica University in Prescott, from which he retired in 1989 as Professor Emeritus. Retirement did not end his service as an educator. As a long-term falconer, he developed a popular school program featuring rehabilitated raptors. His "Physics is Phun" program was also popular in schools around Arizona and across the country. For years he hosted three annual children's events at his home: a summertime mud party, an Easter egg hunt, and a Halloween maze. He is survived by his wife, four children, numerous grandchildren, beloved in-laws, and many good friends. Widely known for his humor, his smile, and his unfailing courtesy, his epitaph could easily be, "Here lies a gentleman who happens to be a Southerner." A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00P.M. on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at AZ Ruffner Wakelin Family Funeral Homes in Prescott, Arizona. In lieu of flowers. donations may be made to Prescott Public Library 215 E. Goodwin St. Prescott, AZ 86305 or to Sharlot Hall Museum 415 E. Gurley St. Prescott, AZ 86301.