Amherst, MA. Arthur Robert Quinton, Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Massachusetts, passed away early Monday, October 26, at his home on Red Gate Lane, surrounded by his family. His final day was the only time when he was not completely independent, including tending his wood stove.  He left this world entirely on his own terms, speaking with grandchildren, telling them of his pride in them, solving the New York Times crossword puzzle, and singing “My Way.” 

Arthur was born July 1^st, 1924 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, the youngest of six children in a family of fishermen and dressmakers. He attended Queen Mary College, London University during WW2, which had been moved to Cambridge to avoid the Blitz. After graduation he became a radar operator and Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. At the end of the war he was stationed in Cornwall, where he attended a charity ball and met a bright eyed, dark haired, local girl. Arthur and Rose Maud Trebilcock were married November 11, 1946.  In 1949, the couple emigrated to Canada where Arthur earned a MS from the University of Western Ontario. 

In 1951, Arthur and Rose moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where Arthur earned a Ph.D. in Physics at Yale, and met lifelong friends Barbara and Bill Doyle, Joan and Hal Shapiro, and many others. After stints at the University of Florida, Dartmouth College, and visiting professorships at Australian National University, the Quintons settled in Amherst, where Arthur taught generations of physics students, retiring in 1994. 

Arthur was a talented cricket player in his young days, an award winning slow bowler. After he became a US citizen in 1960 and settled in Amherst, he became an avid follower of UMass and Boston sports teams. He helped coach the UMass men’s soccer team for a few years, and started the Amherst recreational soccer program in the early 1970’s. He retained encyclopedic knowledge of the details of players and games and eagerly shared his enjoyment with many. On his final day, he was glad to hear about the game as the Patriots pulled out the win over the Jets.

Arthur was an active member of the Amherst community; he was a member of Town Meeting for 12 years, a Trustee of the Jones Library, member and past president of Amherst Rotary, and docent at the Renaissance Center. For years he tended multiple plots at the Amherst Community Garden, overwhelming friends and foes alike with his garden bounty of zucchini, tomatoes, and basil.  He was an avid tennis player, playing in a variety of masters’ tournaments with his sneaky spins and drop shots. After Rose died, Arthur became quite a cook, serving family and friends feasts that included roast lamb and potatoes, and keeping the Red Gate Lane house alive as a center of warmth and love. 

Arthur had a great love of poetry and music and took great joy in rallying any group for a sing a-long.  Every year he recited “In Flanders Field” from memory, and took great pride in joining with his fellow WW2 veterans to commemorate their shared service. He was a terrific American patriot, and worked at the polls for many elections. Despite watching a fair amount of Fox News after Rose died, to his children’s great relief he recently announced that he planned to vote for Bernie in the primaries. 

Arthur found his calling in teaching; he was renowned for his creative and exciting physics demonstrations that transfixed students and colleagues, from his bed of nails to shooting falling stuffed animals with a cannon from across the classroom. For many years he taught in the UMass Summer Science Enrichment Program. In retirement, Arthur tutored local middle school students in math, and enjoyed discovering new, elegant proofs. He often included mathematical equations in his birthday cards to his grandchildren. Arthur was always interested in, and in sync with, the younger generation.  

Arthur leaves 3 children and 8 grandchildren: Hebe Quinton and David Avery (Christian and Meade) of Lyme, NH; Keith Quinton and Barbara Fildes (Sean, Casey, Jared, and Nina) of Hanover, NH; Tracy Farnham and Paul Martin (Jack and Grace) of Belchertown, MA.  He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins across the globe. He was a man of great dignity, integrity, and kindness and is sorely missed.  

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Mariana Marguglio for her dedicated care to both Rose and Arthur.  

The South Amherst Congregational Church was a supportive community for Arthur and Rose. A memorial service for the community will be held there on November 28^th at 3 PM, the community is invited. There will be singing and tea. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Quinton Physics Award at UMass Amherst, 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA  01003. The award rewards excellence in graduate student teaching.