Photo courtesy of Anderson Funeral Service - Crozet
Crozet, Virginia
Jun 10, 1950 – Oct 7, 2024
Hung “PQ” Pham, 74, passed away on Monday, October 7th, 2024, in Charlottesville, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Simonetta Liuti, and his three children, Gabriel, Viviana, and Bruno. He is also survived by his three sisters, Nga, Van, and Phuong. PQ was born on June 10th, 1950, in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, the youngest of nine siblings. After leaving Vietnam, PQ lived in Montreal and eventually attended the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he pursued his Bachelor of Science in Physics. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in Particle Physics at UCLA and postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley and Fermilab before joining the University of Virginia as an assistant professor. PQ began his work at UVA in 1982 and remained there until his retirement in 2022 as a Professor Emeritus.
During his tenure at UVA, PQ explored physics beyond the Standard Model, including the origin of neutrino mass, the search for Long-Lived Particles and magnetic monopoles at the LHC through the MoEDAL collaboration, and making theoretical predictions of the Weak Mixing Angle, with implications for both theoretical and experimental particle physics. He was committed to advancing education in Physics in Vietnam and was awarded the title of Honorary Professor for his work with Hue University. He also received Vietnam's Medal for the Cause of Science and Technology in 2013. After retirement, he continued to work on his research in monopoles.
PQ devoted much of his life to his passion for research, but his life was full outside of work as well. He loved music and enjoyed discovering genres and musical styles from around the world. His musical taste was diverse, ranging from the Beatles to Mexican ballads. He fully immersed himself in cultures from around the world, and his culinary palate was as eclectic as his taste in music. PQ was always open to trying new foods and recipes, and he passed many of these interests and hobbies down to his three children.
A viewing will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, October 11th, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home in Crozet, Va.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Services Crozet, VA
Read MoreBruno and family,
I remember PQ from my time at your house in elementary school, particularly his guitar playing and love for the Beatles. I had just started learning to play at the time and thought his twelve-string was so cool! I played one just a couple weeks ago at a friend's house and thought of him not knowing until today that he had passed. I'm wishing you all well.
-Ben
Ben Brantley
November 24, 2024 | Charlottesville, VA
We were deeply saddened to learn of our dear friend PQ's passing while looking up a notice on UVA's Physics Department web page, almost a month after he left us. We do regret not having been able to attend his funeral because of this.
PQ and Simonetta, and their children Gabriel, Viviana and Bruno, were a wonderful part of our lives for many years, both as colleagues at UVA's Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics and as friends at many happy times in both our homes and other...
Oscar Rondon
November 12, 2024 | Charlottesville, VA | Friend
Group of 10 Trees
Marge and Bill Bardeen
November 09, 2024 | Warrenville, IL
Heartfelt condolences to PQ's family, friends, and colleagues. PQ has been a fixture in my life since his time as a postdoc at Fermilab. I have always appreciated his original thought, his positive outlook, and his commitment to spreading the good word about particle physics. He often seemed to be a step ahead of what was in fashion. And the music—from his encyclopedic knowledge of American pop music (especially from the US–Vietnam war era) to the frisky strains of the Intermediate Boson...
Chris Quigg
October 23, 2024 | Wheaton, IL | Friend
To my dear teacher, thank you very much for all the things you have done to APCs. I deeply appreciate your support. I thought I could meet you again at the 20 years anniversary of APC but... We will miss you. Rest in peace!
Thuy Tran
October 12, 2024 | Tainan, Taiwan | Student
PQ was taken away so suddenly from all of us. Just a couple of short months ago we spent great time together, with lively discussions (not only about physics) and fun moments. So many meaningful exchanges we have had over the years. PQ, you will always remain in our thoughts and hearts. We are richer for having had you in our lives. Our deepest condolences to the grieving family.
Dinko Pocanic
October 11, 2024 | Charlottesville, VA | Friend
Single Tree
Diana Vaman
October 11, 2024
PQ will be greatly missed. He was a cheerful & funny yet very serious & talented teacher and researcher in physics. I've known him since I joined the University of Virginia Physics Department as a graduate student back in 1992. I especially got to spend much time with him in the department as I assisted him with teaching courses during the past decade. My sincere condolences to Simonetta and the entire family.
Al Tobias
October 11, 2024 | Charlottesville, VA | Coworker
Single Tree
Maryline et Jason Pollock
October 11, 2024