April 23, 2004--Richard Dwight Ewing, 74, retired professor of physics at the University of Delaware, died Sunday, April 11, after a lengthy illness.

Dr. Ewing retired from UD in 1988 after 29 years of service. He also worked as a consultant with the Department of Defense communications program and several publishing houses to review physics textbooks for college physical science programs.

A scientist in astronomy, crystallography and solid state ohysics, Dr. Ewing was responsible for early research on nuclear magnetic resonance.

He had a passion for teaching and was instrumental in acquiring National Science Foundation grants for high school mentoring programs in science.

A graduate of the University of Chicago, he received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State.

Dr. Ewing was a devoted fan of Blue Hen football and a longtime season ticketholder. An avid music fan, he enjoyed classical music and Dixieland jazz. His other hobbies included gardening, cooking and revising his chili recipe. Dr. Ewing also was known to play a mean game of poker and hearts.

Dr. Ewing is survived by his wife of 49 years, Claudette A. Ewing; a son, Richard D. Ewing II, and his wife, Ellen, of Bowie, Md.; two daughters, Barbara G. Daugherty and her husband, Jan, of Bear, and Patricia A. Ewing of Delaware City; a brother, Robert B. Ewing, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Laurel, Md.; a sister, Elizabeth Bradley, of Lansing, Mich.; and five grandchildren, Evan, Katie, Sean, Nathan and Connor.

Contributions in Dr. Ewing’s memory may be sent to the Food Bank of Delaware, 14 Garfield Way, Newark DE 19713 or visit the web site at [www.fbd.org].