Professor Emeritus Donald Lynch dies
February 3, 2014
Donald Lynch, 82, professor emeritus of geography, passed away Jan. 31.
Lynch, who earned his PhD in geography of Russian studies at Yale University in 1965,
had been affiliated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks geography department since
1970. He taught geography and history and at one time served as president of the UAF
Faculty Senate.
Lynch's research focused on regional, economic and historical geography of Alaska,
Northern Scandinavia and Siberia. He spoke Russian and Norwegian and could read German
and limited Finnish.
"Don was a classically trained geographer, the likes of which are rare these days,
and was a pillar of the UAF Geography Department for many years," said Cary deWit,
chair of the UAF Geography Department.
Prior to coming to Fairbanks, Lynch was an engineer at Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical
and a researcher of Russia, weather modification, South America and insurgency for
the Research Analysis Corp.
A memorial service is being planned in Seattle. Another service may be held in Fairbanks,
but no details are available.