Gordon Hug Obituary

Gordon Leslie Hug, 81, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024, from heart issues at his home with family and friends.

Gordon was born in Highland, Illinois but spent his childhood in Edwardsville, Illinois graduating from Edwardsville High School in1960. He attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduated with a degree in Physical Chemistry in 1964. He then attended The University of Chicago and received his PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1970. After two post docs at Florida State and the University of Houston, he came to the University of Notre Dame’s Radiation Laboratory Data Center in 1976.

At Notre Dame, he spent many years doing research on sulfur radicals. When people asked him what he did, he would reply in his typically humble fashion, “I shine light on things, get them excited and then see what happens.” While at Notre Dame he formed a productive collaboration with several Polish scientists, Bronislaw Marciniak and Krzysztof Bobrowski, which continued up until his passing. Over the years he hosted many Polish students and scientists which enabled them to conduct research on unique scientific equipment and learn new research techniques in photochemistry and radiation chemistry.

He published over 140 papers in peer reviewed journals and a book called Handbook of Photochemistry with Steven Murov in 1993. In 2006 and 2007 he received Fulbright scholarships to do research for nine months with his Polish collaborators at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. His love of science resulted in him being honored with the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medal in 2022 from the Polish Radiation Research Society. In recognition of his achievements in the scientific and teaching fields in 2007, Adam Mickiewicz University Senate awarded him a medal "For services to the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań.

When not involved in his science research, he could be seen working with great gusto as a volunteer on the grounds of Sacred Waters Spiritual Center, peering through his binoculars to catch a glimpse of an exciting bird sighting or in his younger years flying around a tennis court in pursuit of a winning title. During the Vietnamese War his heart was touched by the plight of the refugees, and he became involved in sponsoring several refugee families who wanted to resettle in the United States.

He was one of the kindest, gentlest souls on the planet, ever willing to serve and lend a helping hand. He was always the last in line but first in honesty and integrity. Humble, selfless, and considerate, he graced everyone he met with his quiet presence.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Metcalfe Hug, brother David Hug, his sister-in law Gail Cunningham Hug, three nieces, Stacy DeZutter, Amy DeZutter, and Elizabeth Hug Sefcik, his grandnephew, Jackson Sefcik and his grandnieces, Mila Sefcik and Joselyn Dezutter. There will be a memorial service for him sometime in March.

Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/gordon-hug/obituary/

Copy