James Henry Pius Hughes, a former navy lieutenant and atmospheric physicist, died of an aortic aneurysm April 13 at Sibley Memorial Hospital in the District. He was one month shy of his 97th birthday.
A longtime resident of Montgomery County and McLean, Mr. Hughes was a pioneer in advancing several major areas in atmospheric science. He had an international reputation in the atmospheric electricity science community, was a leader in funding during the early days of numerical atmospheric modeling and supported new concepts in aerosols and cloud physics.
He was unique in recognizing the potential in diverse areas of atmospheric research. In 1960, he funded a program to measure upper stratospheric ozone using small rockets. That work led to new developments in satellite-based remote sensing instruments, eventually pointing the way to the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole and to the international ban on production of freon gases.
When the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration were created, many scientists at the Office of Naval Research (ONR), where he was a program manager and director, and Department of Defense joined the new civilian agencies.
In 1984, the seventh International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity recognized Mr. Hughes for his discerning and perceptive support of atmospheric electrical studies on a global scale. Throughout his career at ONR, Mr. Hughes was instrumental in promoting basic research that provided insights into various phenomenas, such as formation of lightning in thunderclouds and volcanic eruptions, the production of atmospheric ions and the role played by ocean spray particles in the formation of raindrops.
Jim made great contributions to research in atmospheric physics and lightning physics,” said fellow scientist Ben Cagel. “He did this by quietly encouraging and providing funds when he could. All respected Jim — with or without the money.
Of his regular lunch dates with Mr. Hughes in recent years, Arlin Kreuger said, The lunches were always interesting with Jim”s stories about his early career and mutual acquaintances and, of course, the Hughes Martini” — dry with a twist. It is very refreshing to find someone over 95 who [had] all his mental capacities. Jim was exceptional and will be missed.
Mr. Hughes held memberships in the Cosmos Club, the Royal Meteorological Society, the Meteorological Society of Japan, the American Geophysical Union and the American Statistical Institute. In May 1988, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology acknowledged a lifetime of accomplishments in support of atmospheric electricity studies with an honorary doctor of science degree.
Mr. Hughes was born in New York City on May 23, 1911. He displayed an early aptitude for science and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from New York University in 1940 and graduated with credentials in aerological engineering from the Post Graduate School of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1943. During World War II, he served in the Aleutian Islands. In the Navy he was involved in atmospheric testing, the field that formed his career for the next four decades until his retirement from ONR in 1988.
Mr. Hughes and his wife, Dr. Charlotte P. Donlan, traveled extensively throughout the world, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1992. Even in retirement they continued to thrive, taking on ballroom dancing, tai chi and an array of interests at an age when most people cherish the chance to slow down.
Mr. Hughes’ survivors include a daughter, Patricia Hughes of Livermore, Calif. Dr. Donlan, a radiation oncologist and women”s health pioneer, died in 1995.
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