Memorial Service for Professor Sujeev Wickramasekara

A memorial service for Sujeev Wickramasekara, professor of physics, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, in Herrick Chapel. A reception will follow in Grinnell House.

Wickramasekara died unexpectedly of apparent cardiac arrest on Dec. 28, 2015. A visitation and funeral service were held in Iowa City earlier this month. His memorial service on campus will be an opportunity for members of the Grinnell community to share memories and celebrate his life.

After joining the Grinnell College faculty in 2005, Wickramasekara quickly gained a reputation as a brilliant scholar and a dynamic, engaging teacher. The author of many publications in some of his field's most prominent journals, he also attained an international reputation. He challenged majors with advanced seminars in quantum theory in addition to teaching sections of general physics and a tutorial on the growth and convergence of scientific knowledge. He was a supportive and thoughtful colleague and mentor to his peers and a generation of Grinnell students.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy Nyden, associate professor of philosophy, and step-sons, Jonah Bullock and Cole Bullock. Memorial contributions can be made in Wickramasekara's name to support financial aid for Grinnell College physics students from groups that are currently underrepresented in the field. Contributions should be sent to the Grinnell College Development and Alumni Relations office, 733 Broad St., Grinnell, IA 50112.