UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science mourn the loss of John A. Dutton, who died on Feb. 13, at the age of 89.
Dutton was a professor emeritus of meteorology and dean emeritus of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). He joined the Penn State faculty in 1965 and served as head of the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from 1981 to 1986 and as dean from 1986 to 2002.
“John’s leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence shaped the trajectory of the college and strengthened its impact across the University and beyond,” said Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “As dean, he championed interdisciplinary collaboration, elevated our research profile and invested deeply in faculty development and student success. His legacy lives on in the programs he strengthened, the culture he nurtured and the many colleagues and students he mentored.”
Dutton led the college through a period of rapid technological change, as personal computers, high-performance computing and the internet were reshaping scientific research and education. Having been an early adopter of computing in his own research, he worked to position the college to lead in an era defined by advanced computing and global connectivity. He especially championed the integration of computing in education. The John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence at Penn State is named in his honor.
"Dean Dutton’s unwavering support made the very existence of our ‘e-Education’ institute possible — championing the vision, backing its launch in 2000 and setting a lasting standard for teaching, learning and innovation,” said Ann Tayor, senior assistant dean for distance learning and director of the institute. “The institute’s continued growth — expanding programs, widening access and strengthening instructional support for learners and faculty — stands as his enduring legacy. We are proud to bear his name as the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence."
Dutton was a distinguished meteorologist whose research focused on atmospheric dynamics and energetics, global thermodynamics and nonlinear hydrodynamics. He published widely and authored two textbooks: “The Ceaseless Wind: An Introduction to the Theory of Atmospheric Motion,” which was selected as an outstanding academic book of 1976 by the American Library Association, and in collaboration with Hans A. Panofsky, another Penn State faculty member, coauthored “Atmospheric Turbulence: Models and Methods for Engineering Applications.” He also taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
“John Dutton’s legacy in our department is enormous,” said Paul Markowsi, head and distinguished professor of meteorology and atmospheric science. “He was a visionary leader, but he also understood the power of believing in people. I know that personally: he took a huge chance on hiring me as a Penn State faculty member when I was a green, unproven 25-year-old graduate student. I have always been grateful for that faith in me. His book, ‘The Ceaseless Wind,’ also left a lasting impression on me by conveying not just the science of meteorology, but the sense of awe that draws so many of us to the field in the first place.”
Dutton started many key initiatives that continue in EMS. He is credited with establishing an undergraduate student center — an effort that evolved into the current Ryan Family Student Center, which integrates tutoring, advising, student workspaces and areas for casual interaction into a one-stop shop for student success.
He also established the Center for Advanced Undergraduate Study and Experience, known as CAUSE, the college's signature study abroad/study away program that provides “real world experiences” for students.
Dutton was also instrumental in the creation and design of the college’s first-year seminar course, which is taught by senior faculty members and designed to examine critical issues in the college’s disciplines, develop critical thinking and foster communications skills. First-year seminars are now widely offered by other colleges throughout Penn State.
In 1990, he established GEMS — Graduates of EMS — the college alumni society. He also presided over the college centennial in 1996.
Throughout his career, he also was closely involved in professional and advisory efforts in his field. He served as trustee, secretary, treasurer and chair of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). He was also very active in the American Meteorological Society (AMS). He was member for more than 30 years and served as an elected councilor, editor of Meteorological Monographs, and chair of the publications commission, and member of the fellows, awards and development committees. He also was a fellow of AMS and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Dutton was born on Sept. 11, 1936, in Detroit, spent his early years in Iron River, Michigan, and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth, in 1962.
After earning his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin, he served for three years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Air Weather Service (AWS), where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was also joint recipient of the AWS Zimmerman Award, given for a study of the climatological aspects of atmospheric modification by nuclear weapons.
After retiring from Penn State in 2002, Dutton founded two weather information companies: Weather Ventures Ltd. and Prescient Weather, both focused on developing decision-making aids based on complex meteorological concepts.
Symposium to honor Dutton
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science will be hosting a symposium, “Ushering in the Digital Era in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: The Dutton Legacy,” in his honor. The symposium will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, followed by a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, in the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus. RSVP for the luncheon at this link.
Immediately following the luncheon, the Dutton family will be hosting a celebration of life at 1 p.m., also in the Nittany Lion Inn. RSVP for the celebration of life at this link.
Watch a tribute to Dutton on “Weather World.”
In lieu of flowers, donations to the John and Elizabeth Dutton Excellence Fund in the John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence, in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, can be made at this link. Checks made out to The Pennsylvania State University, with “In memory of John Dutton” in the subject line, can be sent to Penn State Donor and Member Services, 329 Innovation Blvd, Suite 311, State College, PA 16803-6606. Those interested in other ways to give can also contact Chris Brida at cmb273@psu.edu in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.