H. Peter D. Lanyon

Professor H. Peter D. Lanyon, 72, of Greenwood Pkwy, died on Thursday, August 7, 2008, in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Iris (Velez) Lanyon; his children, Cindy Morgan and her husband Richard, Peter Lanyon and his wife Vickie, Jennifer Maria Mier, Laurence Wheatley and his wife Betty, and Michelle Hagerty and her husband Marty; eight grandchildren, Crystal, Julia, Drew, Alison, Nathan, Samuel, Bethany, and Alexandra. He was born in Halesowen, Worcester County, England, the son of Edwin Burton Josiah and Claudia (Foster) Lanyon and has been a resident of Holden since 1967.

Dr. Lanyon received his B.A. and M.A. in Physics from Christ's College, University of Cambridge, England. In 1961 he earned his PhD from the University of Leicester, England. For a number of years he was a Visiting Research Associate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois, a member of the Technical Staff at RCA Labs in Princeton, NJ, and an Associate Professor at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. In 1967 he joined the faculty at Worcester Polytechnic Institute as an Associate Professor, becoming a Professor in 1977, before retiring in 1999. He worked in research related to "Heavily Doped Semiconductors".

Dr. Lanyon was a member of several scientific and professional societies, including a senior member of IEEE, AAUP, APS, and Chapter President of Sigma Xi. He also chaired various committees in the Electrical Engineering Department. He was a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club. He was an avid reader and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, playing golf, photography, traveling and playing the piano. He was a member of the Worcester Music Assoc., now known as the Music Worcester, Inc.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13th, followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Centro Las Americas, 11 Sycamore St., Worcester, MA 01608.

www.milesfuneralhome.com