John D. Gavenda ’59 PhD

John D. Gavenda ’59 PhD, of Austin, Tex.; Nov. 13, 2021. He was a physicist at the University of Texas whose principal research was concentrated on the study of the interaction of conduction electrons with lattice vibrations in metals. He coauthored Magnetoacoustic Polarization Phenomena in Solids, which summarized his work over four decades. In all, he published more than 50 research papers, plus numerous reports and oral presentations. As a UT professor of physics and education, he was a leader in course and curriculum development in physics. Retired in 1999, he was awarded the title of professor emeritus. He was active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Texas Academy of Science, Sigma Xi, and the Texas Association of College Teachers (TACT).  He is survived by his wife, Janie; two sons; a daughter-in-law; a granddaughter; a brother; a niece; and a nephew.