Obituary of Geoffrey L. Wilson

Geoffrey L. Wilson of State College passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2023 at the age of 98.

Born October 26, 1924 in London England, son of the late Percy Wilson and Dorothy Kingston Wilson. Geoffrey attended Saint Paul's Schools in London and received scholarships to Queen's College of Oxford University where he earned a Master's Degree in Physics. He was then employed by The Ministry of Defense in Weymouth, England and directed a project contracted by Canadian Westinghouse. While in Hamilton he was visited by a family friend, Patricia Pankhurst, and proposed to her at Niagara Falls. They were married in Farnborough, England December 17, 1955 and returned to Hamilton where their two sons, Anthony and Nigel were born. In 1958 he was hired by the Penn State University Physics Department and soon after was transferred to the Applied Research Lab where his research included Underwater Acoustics. He simultaneously earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Underwater Acoustics, from Loughborough University in England. Geoffrey retired from Penn State in 1985 and was recruited by Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC as Distinguished Professor of Math and Science. He procured multiple grants and developed advanced curriculum in both disciplines before his final retirement in 1990. Geoff was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in State College, and an active member of State College Rotary Club.

Geoffrey was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, and three brothers, Arthur, Laurence, and Richard. He is survived by son Nigel and his wife Dagmar of Boalsburg, PA; grandchildren Tristan, Kedrin, and Savannah, son Anthony and his wife Sandy of Cherry Hill, NJ; grandchildren Josiah, Essie, Micah, Caleb, and Eli, and six great-grandchildren.

Geoffrey's greatest joy in retirement was traveling with his wife Patricia and spending time with his family. He never stopped challenging himself to learn the latest technology and he loved keeping up with his grandchildren's educational pursuits. Geoffrey's generosity and devotion to his family and select charitable organizations is a memorable part of his extraordinary legacy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2PM on July 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in State College with a reception to follow.

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com