In Memoriam

Benjamin Franklin Peery (1922-2010)

Benjamin F. Peery, a longtime professor of astrophysics at Indiana University and Howard University, died late last year at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was 88 years old.

Dr. Peery was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, but grew up in rural Minnesota. He served in the military during World War II, where he believed he was subjected to racial segregation more so than at any time in his life.

After the war he entered the University of Minnesota and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1949. He went on to earn a master’s degree at Fisk University and a Ph.D. in astronomy at the University of Michigan.

Professor Peery taught astronomy at Indiana University for 18 years before joining the faculty at Howard University in 1977. He taught at Howard for 15 years and was chair of the department of astronomy and physics. He retired and assumed the title of professor emeritus in 1992.

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