Jose D'Arruda

LAURINBURG — Dr. Jose D'Arruda, 82, of Tiverton, Rhode Island and Fayetteville, NC passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Dorothy D'Arruda, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

Dr. D'Arruda was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, the son of the late Silvino and Anne D'Arruda, of Fall River Massachusetts. He was educated in the Fall River public schools, graduating from Durfee High in 1960. He then studied Physics and Mathematics at Lowell Tech, earning his degree in 1965. He attended the University of Delaware, where he earned his Master's Degree and his Doctorate Degree in Physics in 1971.

In 1974 he began a 44-year teaching career at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he taught Physics and Astronomy. After his first year at UNC-Pembroke he was voted Faculty member of the year by the students. At UNC-Pembroke he was the chair of the Department of Physics for 25 years and the chairman of the Faculty Senate for six years.

Early in his career he gained knowledge, while employed summers at Argonne National Lab in Chicago, NOAA in Oak Ridge, and Batelle Northwest Research Lab in Washington state.

While at UNC Pembroke Dr. D'Arruda received numerous awards and grants. He became a member of the prestigious "Order of the Long Leaf Pine." Additionally, he received the Pembroke Dial Service Award, he was appointed to the Education Advisory Board for North Carolina School of Science and Math by the UNC Board of Governors, received the Distinguished Service to Education Award from the North Carolina Science Teachers Association, earned the Board of Governors Teaching Excellence Award. Furthermore, he received the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center Award for Outstanding Educator. He was honored with the Outstanding Physics Alumni Award from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. In 2010 UNC Pembroke awarded him with the Distinguished Professor Award in Physics. He garnered the John L. Hubisz Award for Outstanding Service from the North Carolina Association of Physics Teachers in November of 2016. Dr. D'Arruda also collected the national Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to the American Association of Physics Teachers at their annual meeting in Washington, DC

While at UNC Pembroke he started a yearly Science Fair competition, which brought thousands of students from North Carolina public schools to UNC Pembroke to compete. A proud accomplishment of D'Arruda at UNC Pembroke was overseeing the University's brand-new Observatory, which was available to students and the general public. Dr. D'Arruda and his wife Dorothy created an Endowment for Physics students at UNC Pembroke.

Dr. D'Arruda enjoyed many interests outside of the classroom. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and the last game he attended at Fenway Park he caught a foul ball and promptly handed it to a beaming young fan. Additionally, he coached baseball in Laurinburg, North Carolina wherein his last year coaching he led SafeWay Motors to an undefeated regular season and won the County Championship game. Dr. D'Arruda also drove several adults and children to Florida to view the first Space Shuttle launch. A boy scout himself he became a boy scout leader, and volunteered taking the scouts on several retreats, and even to a baseball game in Atlanta.

During the summers in the 1970's, D'Arruda drove his family across the country stopping to visit National Parks, Monuments, museums, and other tourist attractions. On one particular trip he took the family to games at all of the MLB baseball parks. Jose was an avid model train collector and enthusiast. He had a life-long interest in cars, especially Porsche vehicles. He not only restored and collected them but raced them in local events. Over his life he also excelled in wine making, woodworking, leather crafting, CB Radios. He particularly enjoyed sailing in his Victoria 18 sailboat, entertaining many friends over the years.

Dr. D'Arruda fell in love with computers, purchasing his first Apple Computer in 1979. It instantly captured his heart, and as his enthusiasm grew, he decided to open his first computer store in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He excelled in running a business, and The Computer Store grew into four locations spread across North Carolina.

In addition to his wife Dorothy of 59 years, he is survived by his three sons, Peter and his wife Kim of Cary, North Carolina. His son Robert of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and his son Jeffrey and his Fiancé Tammy of Concord, North Carolina. He also survived by his five grandchildren.

Calling hours for Jose will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. at Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset. There will be a funeral service for him on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Somerset. To express condolences to the family or to light a candle please visit: www.hathawayfunerals.com.