Thomas J. Parmley, a well-known physicist and former University of Utah professor who taught thousands of students over a span of seven decades, died Monday, Sept. 15, 1997, just a few weeks short of his 100th birthday.
Honored in 1996 as the U. "Centennial Professor," Highly sought after as a teacher, Parmley taught an estimated 50,000 students at the U. Also, he was actively involved in early nuclear research at the cyclotron, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley. He completed projects with the Atomic Energy Commission and the National Bureau of Standards.Parmley graduated from the U. in 1915, obtained a doctorate from Cornell in 1927 and returned to the U., which presented him an honorary doctorate in 1982. The centennial professor honor didn't come because of his age but because of his contributions to the institution. He was noted for making complicated physical principles accessible through the use of entertaining classroom demonstrations.
U. interim President Jerilyn McIntyre said, "Dr. Parmley was a marvelous teacher who cared deeply about his students, while at the same time contributing in significant ways to scientific research. The university community is deeply appreciative of his many contributions."
Parmley served on the LDS Church's Sunday School General Board and traveled extensively with his wife, the late LaVern W. Parmley, when she was general president of the Primary Association. She died in 1980.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Hillside Stake Center, 1400 S. 1900 East. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 South, and from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.