Thomas Noonan

Thomas Wyatt Noonan, follower of Christ and theoretical Physicist and Astronomer, died at his home on December 23, 2011 from complications of digestive carcinoma. He was 78 years old.



Noonan earned a PhD in Physics from the California Institute of Technology, and became a fellow at Harvard University\\'s Smithsonian Institution. He served as University Astronomer with UNC Chapel Hill and participated in training the Apollo astronauts in Moorehead Planetarium. He wrote the book, Cosmology and Relativity, at the request of the United States Air Force. While a full professor with the State University of New York, he spent time doing research at Sussex Observatory in England, and was a don with Oxford University and a member of Brasenose College. A member of Tau Beta Pi, he delivered papers at many research conferences and authored over 75 scientific papers. He became professor emeritus from SUNY Brockport in 1995, and continued to teach Physics at USC Lancaster. Noonan shared his Christian faith with many throughout his life, his unique perspective as a scientist and a Christian was a strengthening force to those who knew him.



He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Annabel S. Noonan, their three children and spouses; Rachel and Jeff Winstead, John and Tonya Noonan, and Matthew and Kristin Noonan, as well as six grandchildren.



A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Matthews, NC on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 11 AM followed by a luncheon for family and close friends. Burial will be private at Pine Crest Cemetery, Bladenboro, NC.