UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Penn State community mourn the loss of John J. Cahir, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education emeritus and professor of meteorology emeritus, who died June 6 at the age of 90.
Cahir first came to Penn State as an undergraduate student in 1955. He earned his bachelor’s degree in meteorology in 1961 and his doctorate in meteorology in 1971. He met his wife of 61 years, MaryAnne Schrott Cahir, when he was a graduate student, and she was an undergraduate student. They were married in December 1962.
Cahir spent his entire professional career at the University and was a mentor and role model to hundreds of students, especially meteorologists. He served as a graduate assistant and instructor in meteorology before joining the Penn State faculty as an assistant professor of meteorology in 1971. He was promoted to associate professor in 1974 and to full professor in 1980. He was also appointed associate dean for resident instruction in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in 1980. At the University-level, he was appointed vice provost and dean for undergraduate education in 1993 and served in that capacity until retiring in 2002.
On his retirement, Rodney Erikson, now president emeritus of Penn State, described Cahir as a “champion for excellence in teaching and learning at Penn State, a tireless advocate for students — both graduate and undergraduate, and an innovative leader in developing new ways to engage students in interactive and collaborative forms of education.”
John Dutton, professor emeritus of meteorology and dean emeritus of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences said that Cahir was a superb teacher and researcher in meteorology and weather prediction and an important adviser and supporter for Penn State students who needed guidance and assistance.
“Many students who knew John as a teacher or an adviser praised him throughout their careers and for the rest of their lives,” Dutton said. “As associate dean for resident instruction, John helped to shape Earth and mineral sciences into a superb college and then became a dynamic campus leader as the University’s vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. And for many of us, he was a wonderful friend, always offering inspiring viewpoints and pointing out attractive opportunities.”
Joel Myers, founder and executive chairman of AccuWeather, and trustee emeritus at Penn State, shared an office with Cahir as a graduate student and they graduated with their doctorates together in 1971. Myers said that Cahir was a dear and amazing friend and that he will miss him greatly.
“He was a terrific husband and father, great teacher, mentor and researcher, but most importantly, he was a very kind and thoughtful person,” Myers said. “We had been good friends for 64 years and we probably had lunch together more than 1,000 times. I thoroughly enjoyed his wit and great insights in so many areas and he gave me many ideas. We spoke often about teaching, meteorology and climate but also politics, both nationally and at Penn State, and of course Penn State football. His wonderful wife, MaryAnne, and I watched countless football games together home and away and on TV and enjoyed the victories and suffered together through the occasional defeats. We shared so many memories that I will cherish, from working on research projects together to family events. All of my family members thought very highly of him. John will be missed by so many.”
Cahir was a leader in the field of meteorology. His research and teaching focused on large-scale synoptic meteorology and climatology. He was part of a pioneering group of scientists applying computer technology to analyze and model weather data. He was a TV forecaster on WPSX’s "State of the Weather, Shape of the World," now known as “Weather World,” and helped bring state-of the-art weather telecasts to Pennsylvanians.
Cahir was very active in the American Meteorological Society (AMS). He was elected as an AMS Fellow, served as an AMS council member and chair of the ad hoc committee on the use of investment income and scholarships. He also was a member of the World Meteorological Organization’s Commission for Atmospheric Sciences and the Universities Space Research Association’s Earth Advisory Council.
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences recognized Cahir’s exceptional teaching and awarded him the Wilson Award for Excellence in Teaching. The college also honored him with the Charles L. Hosler Alumni Scholar Medal, given to recognize “achievements of alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the development of science through research, teaching or administrative leadership.”
John and MaryAnne Cahir said that education is the key and the path toward solving social, legal and economic problems and funded two scholarships at Penn State. The first, established at the time of Cahir's retirement, benefits students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences who demonstrate "exemplary academic performance or experience extenuating circumstances that may explain questionable academic records.” Later, they contributed to the creation of the Project Cahir Endowment in memory of their son Bill, who was killed in action serving with the Marines in Afghanistan in 2009. The initiative funds scholarships aiming to foster a sense of civic duty and commitment to alleviating poverty in local communities. In addition to these funds at Penn State, they also created an endowment at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
“Since serving as John’s gift officer when he was the vice provost and dean for undergraduate education to more recent days while working with him and MaryAnne when they were discussing their gift intentions to benefit both Penn State and the Pennsylvania College of Technology, John always impressed me as the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar," said David Lieb, interim vice president for development and alumni relations. “This was reflected in how he conducted himself professionally and how he cared for others in his personal life, including how he structured his philanthropy. John always wanted to help those who needed a hand. It was never about himself personally. He will long be remembered as a generous, loyal and proud Penn Stater.”
In a previous interview, Cahir said he had a fulfilling career that rarely stopped being fun: “I wish of every Penn State student that they can have a life outcome like I’ve had, where in effect you didn’t have to work at all.”
Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. at the Koch Funeral Home on Friday, June 14. The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church in State College at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 15.
- View obituary: https://kochfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/3168/John-Cahir/obituary.html
- Watch Weather World tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5ezi6Qznfo