Professor of Physics Emeritus Dr. Joseph Spradley HON began his teaching career doing backflips in physics classrooms to “demonstrate rotational motion.” An agile physics, astronomy, math, and history of science teacher at Wheaton for 55 years—from 1959 to 2014—Dr. Spradley loved teaching and was one of the longest-serving professors in Wheaton College history.
“Be willing to take some risks to enjoy life to its fullest,” Dr. Spradley said in a 2015 interview. “Keep active as much as possible if you want to stay young in spirit.”
Thanks to his active lifestyle, Dr. Spradley never missed a class due to illness. He occasionally worked out with Wheaton’s men’s gymnastic team with his son, Daniel ’83, and dove regularly at Wheaton’s Sports and Recreation Complex from when the pool was built in 1981 until 2015 (see video, "A Feeling of Youth," below).
Described by family and former students as “kind,” “humble,” “patient,” “caring,” and a “renaissance man,” Dr. Spradley was motivated by a desire to reconcile faith and science throughout his career and was published in many scholarly books and journals. He was known for his ability to encourage students struggling with little interest in science, and he memorized and often lectured on Psalm 8, which proclaims the glory of God’s creation.
Dr. Spradley also taught abroad throughout his career at Haigazian College in Beirut, Lebanon; Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria; Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya; American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Shandong University in Jinan, China.
“Find activities you enjoy if you want to keep motivated,” Dr. Spradley said. “And give thanks to God every day for all of his gifts, especially the gift of life.”
Joseph Spradley HON, professor of physics emeritus, died March 29, 2016. He taught physics, astronomy, math, and history of science for 55 years from 1959 to 2014, becoming one of the longest-serving professors in the history of the College. Dr. Spradley taught abroad in Lebanon, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and China over the years. Especially known for helping pre-med students prepare for the physics portion of the MCAT, he also contributed to many scholarly journals and authored books including Earth Science: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (Salem Press, 2012) and Visions That Shaped the Universe: A History of Scientific Ideas About the Universe (Wm. C. Brown, 1995). Dr. Spradley inspired many with his diving exercises at the Sports and Recreation Complex, visiting up to three times per week from 1981 to 2016. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Carnett Spradley ’65; two daughters, Joanna Moffett ’80 (Charlie ’68) and Susanna Smoak ’88 (Thomas ’86); two sons, including Dan ’83 (Gail Dauchy ’85); 14 grandchildren, including Luke Spradley ’11, Isaac Smoak ’14 (Sarah O’Connell ’14), Alyssa Spradley ’18, and Julia Moffett ’18; and two sisters, including Mary Spradley Morken ’65 (Hubert ’65).