John Edward Scott Jr

1927 - 2024

Professor John Edward Scott, Jr, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. He was 96.

John grew up in Portsmouth Virginia, where he loved water sports and became an Eagle Scout in his early teens. After graduating as valedictorian of his class at Cradock High School, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was a leader of the Corps of Cadets as well as president of his senior class and was also elected to the ODK Honor Society. John earned his master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. With the award of a Guggenheim Fellowship, he was able to attend Princeton University where he received an MA, as well as a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. At the request of President Colgate Darden, he came to the University of Virginia in 1955 to initiate a program in Aeronautical Engineering. He was instrumental in recruiting prominent students and faculty, creating an engineering, science, and research department of the highest quality at The University.

John's distinguished career at UVa spanned over four decades. He loved teaching, especially the individual interaction with graduate-level research students. He also managed to teach every course in the curriculum during that time. John's expertise was in the field of rarefied gas dynamics, jet propulsion, nozzle-formed molecular beam, and isotope separation. He served twice as chairman of the department and directed three major research programs. His last administrative job was Associate Provost for Research.

Outside of his professional life, John enjoyed time with both family and friends. Fishing trips, beach vacations, travel, and tennis were all a significant part of his life. The beach vacations spanned many years and included family, friends, and eventually his grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Dean Scott, his mother, Mabel Mays Scott, and his father, John Edward Scott.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Cox Scott; his brothers: Tom Scott and Robert Scott (Donna); his children: Carolyn Lewis (Kent), John Scott, III (Anne), and Andrew Scott (Beverly); his grandchildren: Jennifer Tapscott (Michael), David Scott (Susannah), Scott Lewis, Russell Lewis (Nessa), Jillian Scott (Patty Nowak), and Rebecca Scott (Justin Kliegman); and his great-grandchildren: Samuel, Shepard, and Sydney Tapscott, and Ethan and Lydia Lewis.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul's Church on University Avenue on Friday, April 12th, at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

John leaves behind a legacy of love, integrity, and intellectual curiosity that will continue to inspire future generations. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but his legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched and the knowledge he imparted. May he rest in eternal peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support faculty research in Aerospace at the University of Virginia. Gifts should be made payable to the UVA Engineering Foundation, online at engineering.virginia.edu/alumni/ways-give; or by sending a check to UVEF, Thornton Hall, 351 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904 with a note on the memo line that the gift is for the "Scott Research Fund".