Please remember in your prayers longtime University of St. Thomas professor of physics Dr. James Leigh, 82, who died at his home in Minneapolis Saturday, Jan. 30.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Church of St. Albert the Great in Minneapolis. Visitation was held at the church one hour prior to the service.
After receiving his doctorate at the University of Minnesota, Leigh taught physics at St. Thomas from 1961 until his retirement in 1995. That summer, he and two other retiring professors were recognized in the St. Thomas’ Memorandum magazine for their combined 97 years of service. Leigh taught 34 years; Dr. Hubert Walczak, mathematics, taught 32 years; and Dr. Richard Goblirsch, also mathematics, taught 31 years.
In addition to physics, Leigh was interested in anthropology, mathematics, meteorology, astronomy, canoe camping, cooking, home brewing and the dogs of his children. He camped throughout the United States, and especially enjoyed canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, and children Christopher, Valerie and Stephanie. He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas, and his parents, Albert and Ella.