Martin Raymond Flannery

Martin Raymond Flannery, 72, Regents’ Professor Emeritus at Georgia Tech, passed away May 2 at his home in Atlanta. Ray led a distinguished career as an innovative theoretical atomic and molecular physicist. Trained at Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the golden age of atomic and molecular physics, Ray developed an original research capability that resulted in solutions to problems never before solved, publishing over 170 refereed papers and review articles during his 40 year career. In 1998, one solution brought him the internationally acclaimed APS Will Allis Prize, making him the first in the school of physics to be honored with a major APS international award. Among many other honors, Ray was especially proud of the Distinguished Professor Award from Georgia Tech and the Alumnus Illustrisimus Award from Saint Columb’s College, his formative high school. Ray held an honorary D.Sc. from Queen’s University and was an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy. In addition to Ray’s keen intellect, his vigorous spirit, playful wit and unmistakable Irish accent will be most deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (Clark) Flannery, his children, Clare Flannery of Hamden, CT, Una (Flannery) Kelley of Arlington MA, Deirdre (Flannery) Fleming of Atlanta, GA, Conor Flannery of San Francisco, CA, and Ann (Clark) Wethington of McLean, VA. Sons-in-Law are Ryan Kelley, Keith Fleming and Travis Wethington. His sisters, Margaret Downs and Carmel Mattison, and brother, Brendan Flannery, live in England. Ray also is survived by six much loved grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, May 10th, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to The Flannery Prize at Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland (contact Jacqui atj.w.mccormick@qub.ac.uk for giving details), or Johns Hopkins University for Drs. Herman and Acosta, Pancreas Cancer Research Fund (contact Marie Jo atmcorry1@jhmi.edu for giving details). Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.