Dr. George K. Shortess

Dr. George K. Shortess, aged 93, passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2025, attended by his family. He was born in Baltimore, MD, the son of the late Dr. George S. and Mary K. Shortess.
George graduated from South Williamsport High School in 1950. He graduated from Lycoming College on June 6, 1954. The day after graduation he and MaryLou Miller were married at First Methodist Church in Lewistown, PA.
In 1955 George enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged from the Medical Corps in 1958. He enrolled at Brown University where he earned his MA and PhD degrees in Experimental Psychology, concentrating on the neural basis of visual perception. He was awarded a NIH fellowship to work in the neurophysiology lab of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden.
While in the Army, George developed a strong interest in the visual arts and completed an introductory class in oil painting. Later, while completing his degrees at Brown University (1959-62), he enrolled as a non-degree student at the Boston Museum School concentrating on drawing and painting. He continued as a practicing artist for the rest of his life.
From 1963-1969 George taught Experimental Psychology and chaired the Psychology Department at Lycoming College. From 1969-1994 he taught at Lehigh University, where he retired as Professor Emeritus. While at Lehigh, he merged his professional interests in psychology and art to develop a course titled "Perception and the Visual Arts," co-listed with the Art Department. George was a Fellow of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics. In retirement, he became a certified teaching artist, conducting residencies with public school students to create interactive installations that extended aspects of their standard curriculum.
When George began painting, he concentrated on oil or watercolor landscapes. He then experimented with other materials, content, and approaches. In the early 1970's when he merged his two professional interests he created "Neural Art," using properties of the nervous system as the basis of his art. He created artist's books, computer-based interactive sculptures, and installations in addition to paintings. He peer-reviewed books and articles for MIT Press and published several articles in their Leonardo magazine.
George's work was shown in over 125 exhibits locally, nationally, and internationally, including both group and solo shows. His work was supported by sales, honorariums, and grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and other organizations. In addition to private sales, his work is part of a number of museum collections, including two artist's books in the Franklin Furnace archive, which was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
In their 71 years of marriage, George and MaryLou traveled extensively, both nationally and internationally. Early travel took them to the amazing Galapagos Islands and they have supported the Conservancy's programs ever since.
They also took great satisfaction in remodeling their hundred-year-old farmhouse. They encouraged their children to find their own ways in life, but to retain family ties at home. George was a life-long Phillies fan who loved puzzles, Greek coffee, frogs, and traditional Chinese landscape painting.
Survivors: George's wife MaryLou; Brother, David Shortess and his wife Sharon; Children: Thomas Shortess and his wife, Teresa; Laurie Barnes and her husband, James; and Gregory Shores; Four Grandchildren; and extended family members.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor George, the family suggests a contribution to the Galapagos Conservancy, 1630 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 (www.galapagos.org).
Arrangements were handled by the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem, PA, www.cantelmifuneralhome.com