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Joel Gwinn Obituary
He was born on February 24, 1929, in Quinnimont, WV, the third child of Leonard C. Gwinn and Minnie Ray Gwinn. A two-time All Southern States concert timpanist in high school, he continued to play drums throughout his life. He graduated from the University of West Virginia, where he later earned his Ph.D. in physics. He met his wife, Erna Gwinn, in Munich, Germany, while serving in the U.S. Army. They returned to Munich in 1957, where he studied under a Fulbright Scholarship. Dr. Gwinn was a professor at the University of Louisville, where he taught astronomy and physics and mentored students for more than four decades. In retirement, he continued to enjoy lively physics discussions with former students and friends.
He was the first instructor at U of L to incorporate computer video into his undergraduate instruction, in the days of green on black screens. In the 1970s, he was an astronomy instructor for the Freshman Symposium, an innovative honors program at the then-remote Shelby Campus. He held astronomical observations on campus, with the calls of bob whites in the background, untroubled by the lights of the few homes then in east Jefferson County.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by his four children, Marta, Carl, Katrina and Rosa; and two grandchildren, Joseph and Caroline Long.
A memorial service is planned for a later date. Foreman's, Jeffersontown, is assisting with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joel Gwinn
Dave Fisher
March 16, 2024
1978 I was in Dr. Gwynn´s Astro-Physics class... and we were staring into a telescope gazing upon the Crab Nebula. I believe it was at Moore observatory. Dr. Gwynn told me it was the first time he had seen it. I felt pretty honored to be there at that same moment. He made was old-school with a tweed jacket with patches on the elbows, and I believe his assistant was named Craig. I wish I could tell him now how much I appreciated him back then.
Kelly Partin O'Loane
September 5, 2017
I realize this is many years after Dr. Gwinn' s passing but I am sitting here reading my 16 year old daughter's physics book in order to help her with her homework. I struggled with physics and fondly remember Dr Gwinn always taking extra time with me to explain concepts and calculations. He was always so interesting and he never gave up until something would finally click for me. He would come up with multiple ways to explain something to me until he found the thing that helped me to understand. I definitely took up a lot more than my fair share of his time but he never made me feel like I was a burden. He even invited me to his house to meet his wife. She told me stories of how she would tape newspapers on the walls and let her kids draw on them when they were little. He was very proud of his children also! He was so interesting and caring. I was truly blessed to have such a memorable and wonderful professor!
Jill and Dave Owens
May 31, 2010
We know Dr. Gwinn only through his daughter's wonderful stories and regret that we never met him. The affection and admiration she has always expressed are a precious legacy for any father. Our sincere sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.
May 31, 2010
Dear Erna, Marta, Katrina, Carl, and Rosa,
It is with deep sympathy for all of you for your great loss that I convey these expressions.
Joel was a tremendous person - family man, professor, colleague to many at U. of L., philosopher/physicist, humorist, and friend to so many of us. We will all miss him a great deal but have many fond and respectful memories of him.
With love to all of you,
Barbara Cooke
May 29, 2010
Dear Erna, Marta, Carl, Katrina and Rosa,
I was saddened to learn today of Joel's death. I always remember his wit, and his warmth. When I took an ancient phil. course with his friend, Prof. Greer told us how they had become friends: they were working registration at adjacent tables, and Joel leaned over and asked, "What does Philosophy have to say to Physics these days?" He was a wonderful person, and the loss to all is great; I wish you strength in coping with this huge loss.
Warmly,
Marcy Baron
Nancy Daugherty
May 28, 2010
I am blessed to have known Dr. Gwinn. On behalf of all the students Dr. Gwinn mentored at Ballard High School, we send our condolences to the Gwinn Family in your loss. Dr. Gwinn's contributions to the Ballard High School Science Community continue to give to all of society. Blessings to all of you in HIS name!
Nancy Daugherty
Ballard High School Teacher 1978-1990
Katrina Gwinn
May 28, 2010
There will be an informal memorial for my Dad on June 5th at the University Club, Belknap Campus, Mary Bingham Room, from 2-4pm. Thank you all for your kind condolences and messages.
Betsy & Steve Smalley & Young
May 27, 2010
We have enjoyed seeing Dr Gwinn when he came to Atlanta to visit his daughter and her husband. He was always interested in what was happening around him and had a special smile. We could tell he enjoyed life and know that he will be missed. Our sympathies to Marta and her family and to Mrs. Gwinn.
Nancy Miller
May 27, 2010
My deepest condolences to the Gwinn family. Dr. Gwinn was a great physicist, teacher and great human being. I find my self still quoting all his little sayings. He was also very happy and alas made us all happy.
May 27, 2010
As a former chemistry student I am saddened to hear of Dr. Gwinn's passing. He certainly made physics a fun and interesting course to take with the use of all the demonstration equipment. I always looked forward to each of his classes to see what he would have setup each time. Dr. Gwinn was always helpful outside of class as well to help field any questions one might have.
Dave Moberly
Chemist
Louisville, Kentucky
May 26, 2010
Knowing Joel for more than thirty years it is hard to believe that he will not be there anymore when we come to visit. But he will be in our minds and hearts and we will remember the many good times we had together. Our thaughts now are with Erna.
Jakob & Jutta Braun (Munich, Germany)
Chakram Jayanthi
May 26, 2010
. I was saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Prof Gwinn. He served the University with great distinction. He was an innovative and passionate teacher. The Physics department owes a lot to him for many of our instructional labs in physics and astronomy.
I met Prof. Gwinn some 20 years ago when I first joined the University. I recall how enthusiastically he showed me all the lecture demonstration equipment. He was the first to do any outreach activities in the department. He routinely trained high school teachers in the summer. He had the foresight to realize that a good physics program at the university-level needed a solid training of high school teachers. He did outreach activities much before the National Science Foundation realized the importance of such activities.
Dr. Gwinn will be missed by the Department of Physics and Astronomy but the physics legacy that he left behind will be continued.
Chakram S. Jayanthi
Chair
Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Tatyana Tarakanova
May 26, 2010
I knew Dr. Joel Alderson Gwinn as a great Teacher, Scientist and bright Person willing to help others. I was his Teaching Assistant and will never forget him. I bring my condolence to Erna Gwinn and all Family.
Tatyana Tarakanova
Physics LAb Coordinator
Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Louisville
[email protected]
David Brown
May 26, 2010
Joel was a wonderful person - it was truly inspiring to work with him. His kindness, patience, and dedication to science and teaching were inspiring. Joel will be missed, but fondly remembered.
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Foreman Funeral Home, Inc.10600 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299
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