John Layman

John Layman was born 22 August 1933. He was a congenial colleague and a good friend to thousands of educators, students, and neighbors. He was an exemplary physics teacher, and a well-respected mentor, faculty member, and community leader throughout his long career.

Graduating from Park College, John began his career as a high school physics teacher in the Kansas City schools. Upon completing his doctorate at Oklahoma State University, he joined the faculty of the University of Maryland with appointments in physics and education. He believed every student could learn science through inquiry, experience, and engagement. He was an early proponent of physics education research and an early developer of digital educational and laboratory technologies. His undergraduate and graduate students held him in high esteem, particularly future teachers.

John dedicated many years of his life to the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), serving as president, secretary, and historian, and he was often a daily volunteer in the executive office. He was recognized with the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT in 1978 and with an AAPT Fellow award in 2014. He took great pride in receiving the Melba Phillips Award (1998). He was an active volunteer leader with the American Institute of Physics for more than 25 years. John also served as a principal or co-principal investigator on numerous NSF and other federal and state large-scale grants and program awards. He served in senior advisory capacity positions with many agencies, institutions, and associations.

An active patron in the arts and entertainment community, he was a major sponsor of music competitions at the University of Maryland in honor of his mother and his wife. He provided substantial financial support for plays and playwrights at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. He was a lifelong aficionado of opera, and classical music was always playing in his home.

John enjoyed travel and worked with colleagues on six continents, often enjoying special and long-remembered gastronomic and entertainment events with them. He was pleased to live in the DC area and routinely took advantage of numerous Smithsonian and other programs along the national mall. He enjoyed Sunday drives ranging widely through the local region. He loved to engage children in his neighborhood and built a Grandfather’s Science Box for them as an example product for STEM outreach.

John Layman was a well-rounded gentleman and a positive influence on many lives.

John is survived by his brother Roger; son John (Cindy), grandson JD (Natasha), great granddaughter Nora, and granddaughter Amanda; son Jeff and grandchildren Ryan and Claire.

A celebration of his life was held at the University of Maryland Memorial Chapel, Garden Chapel, on 10 February. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to AAPT, the University of Maryland department of Physics, or your favorite charity.

Links to other sources: The Physics Teacher 20, 78 (1982) and UMD physics