York University Professor Emeritus of Physics Charles Hammond Dugan died peacefully on June 23. He is survived by his wife, Gisela Argyle, a senior scholar of comparative literature at York University.
Born in Annapolis, Maryland, son of Hammond James ‘Red’ Dugan and Frances Smith. Hammond served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in San Diego, California, where he met his first wife, Mona Gwendolyn Cowell Finn (who died in 2002). After an honorable discharge he attended Harvard University and graduated with a PhD in Physics.
His research interests were in atomic, molecular and optical physics, as well as spectroscopy and astro-chemistry. In 1967, the family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where Hammond took up a teaching position at York University until his legal retirement age. Hammond had an informed interest in current events, politics, art, history, music, birds and nature, and enjoyed including his children in all these pursuits. His commitment to debate was softened by a sense of humour and fun. His kindness to those around him and his civility were remarkable and enduring.
For several years, he served on the Board of Cummer Lodge for long-time care in North York, during which time he also successfully added the study of carving, painting, and drawing as well as of the alto recorder to his expertise. They all engrossed him and contributed to family entertainment.
Hammond and Gwen had five children: Melanie Dugan (Don Maynard), Dr. Alison Dugan, M.D., Ann Dugan (Paul Knight), Dr. Frances Dugan D.V.M. (Carl Gosselin), and John Dugan, BEng (Lorri Angelloz). He is also survived by his sister Darnall Stone. A memorial service will be scheduled for later date. Questions or memories should be directed by email to his daughter Ann at duganknight6@gmail.com.
Hammond is survived by his grandchildren: Dugan Maynard, Hayden Maynard, Annie Christie, Hamish Dugan, Max Dugan-Knight, Tess Dugan-Knight, Seth Dugan-Knight, Tristan Dugan, Sam Gosselin-Dugan, John Angelloz-Dugan, Finn Angelloz-Dugan, and his two stepsons Ferris and Malcolm Argyle.