James Arthur Earl - Obituary

ames (Jim) Arthur Earl, 92, passed away March 23, 2025 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jim was born on August 14, 1932, in Omaha, Nebraska, to James M. and Margaret H. Earl (née McGuire), both mathematics teachers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. From a young age, Jim had an interest and aptitude in math and science, developing hobbies such as amateur radio and Morse code. At 17, he ventured from Omaha across the country to study Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his PhD in 1958 studying cosmic ray physics under Bruno Rossi. During his time at MIT, Jim met Sylvia Tailby who was attending Wheelock College. Jim and Sylvia married in 1955. Before Jim completed his studies at MIT, they had two sons, John (born 1955) and Jimmy (born 1957). After graduation in 1958, they had a brief stint in New Jersey, followed by a move to Minnesota where Jim accepted a lecturer position at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. As an experimental physicist, Jim made many trips to northern Canada to study cosmic rays. He flew balloons into the stratosphere equipped with sophisticated detectors that he designed and built to measure the extraterrestrial particles. After several iterations of his detectors, he discovered primary cosmic ray electrons, an important discovery of the time. In 1965, Jim and Sylvia moved to Maryland where Jim took a professorship at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Their third son, David, was born in 1967. In 1971 at age 39, Jim realized that experimental physics was becoming too physically demanding so decided to switch to theoretical physics. To facilitate this transition, he took a year-long sabbatical at the California Institute of Technology to study with theoretical physicist mentor Randy Jokipii. Jim and Sylvia’s fourth son, Matthew, was born in 1972 while they were there. In California, a transformative moment occurred when Jim attended an Andy Warhol exhibit, inspiring him to pursue a “hobby” in art. As a college professor at UMD, Jim was able to take one course per semester. A lifelong learner, he decided to take classes in Art, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree. He began with silkscreen printing and later became proficient in pen-and-ink drawing, watercolor, and printmaking. Until a few years ago, Jim was often seen in the print shop at Anne Arundel Community College, diligently transforming his sketchbook drawings into prints. His work has appeared in numerous exhibits including Maryland Hall Galleries, BWI Airport, and Maryland Federation of Art. Along the way he also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in the 1980s, but art was his true passion. Jim and Sylvia moved to the Annapolis area in 1995, before Jim’s retirement in 2000. They became leaders in the philanthropic community through their charitable foundation, the Helena Foundation. They supported numerous organizations focusing on the arts, education, land conservation, and healthcare. They were instrumental in the establishment of the James and Sylvia Earl SAIL Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Chesapeake Conservancy Earl Conservation Center, and the renovation of the James Brice House in Annapolis. Jim is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sylvia; four sons, John, Jimmy (Marie), David (Bridget), and Matthew (Diane); nine grandchildren, Hannah Miller, Natalie Earl, Rosellen Earl, Kathryn McCloney, Logan Earl, James Joseph Earl, Elizabeth Earl, Austin Earl, and Matthew Earl; and one great-grandchild, Thomas McCloney. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life at the Golf Club at South River, 3451 Solomon’s Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, on Thursday, April 24 from 5 to 7:30 PM.