Donald R. Franceschetti *74

Donald Franceschetti, who had been a longtime professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Memphis, died July 1, 2019, at age 71.

In 1969 Franceschetti earned a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. He earned a master’s degree 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1974 in chemistry from Princeton.

Several years in postdoctoral studies at the University of Illinois and the University of North Carolina followed. During the Vietnam War he did research for the Air Force in a secret laboratory near Boston.

Franceschetti had become interested in physics and was hired by the University of Memphis to teach physics, and he also held a position on the chemistry faculty. He was chair of the physics department for eight years and vice provost for research for seven years during his 35-year tenure. In 1981 he was a guest professor at Utrecht in Holland with a concentration in solid-state ionics. He published internationally and spoke at many foreign conferences.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Alice; and three stepsons. He donated his body to science.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.