SHEPARD CLOUGH Obituary

CLOUGH, Shepard Anthony "Tony" Climate Change Physicist, devoted to his Family and Community Died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, surrounded by his large family, while being comforted by his favorite Puccini opera. He was born on July 19, 1931 in Hanover, NH, to Rosa Trillo and Shepard Bancroft Clough. As the eldest son of two college professors, he was raised between the Upper West Side of Manhattan and Peacham, VT. He attended Trinity School, graduated from Cornell University in 1954 and received his MA in Physics from Columbia University in 1958. While stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, NY, he was introduced to Virginia (Ginny) Hameline. They married in 1956 and remained a formidable team for the next 65 years, settling in Lexington, MA, and raising a family of six children. Tony leaves behind Mark Clough and daughter-in-law Lorraine Clough, Anne Clough, Margaret Ellen (Meg) Clough; and son-in-law Barry Katz, Paul Clough; and daughter-in-law Kelly Clough; Peter Clough (deceased) and daughter-in-law Kerri Clough; and John Clough and daughter-in-law Lisa Clough. He was a devoted "Papa" to each of his 14 grandchildren: Daniel, Ben, Chris, Louisa, Matthew, Grace, Rachel, Clara, Maria, Peter, Susan, Anthony, Anna, and Sam, and great-grandson Conall. He is also survived by his brother Peter Clough and sister-in-law Jane. Tony began his 40-year career as Research Physicist at the Air Force Geophysics Lab at Hanscom Air Force Base. He resisted work on defense-related projects, firmly believing that global warming was the most serious threat facing our world. It was here, in the 1970s, that he co-developed the FASCODE model (relating to atmospheric radiative transfer) that remains the world standard today. In 1987 he joined Atmospheric and Environmental Research in Cambridge, MA, where he went on to become one of the world's leading experts on spectroscopy and line-by-line modeling. He made many important contributions to climate change and was named a Fellow to the American Meteorological Society in 2007. Tony also helped develop the successful careers of many young scientists. Often described as "larger than life" and "a force of nature", Tony insisted on intellectual debate wherever he went, including at the family dinner table. Discussion revolved around subjects he cared passionately about: current affairs, social justice, the arts and anything scientific in nature. Tony was as committed to his community as he was to his scientific work and his family. He served as Chairman of the Lexington School Committee from 1982 to 1988. He helped found Lexington Youth Soccer, insisting that all kids get equal opportunity on the field. He was a co-founder of RePlace, a local youth and family counseling center. He worked hard to ensure that Lexington offered affordable housing. He got himself into much "good trouble", advocating for worker's rights, and generally sticking up for the underdog. One of his proudest moments was being jailed overnight for protesting the Vietnam War on the Lexington Battlegreen. As a confirmed do-it-your-selfer, Tony never met a problem he didn't think he could fix, from cars to relationships. He was both a foodaphile and technophile who traveled widely, debated politics, and studied the ozone layer, all while making sure that everyone knew right from wrong. He was a mischief maker with a devilish charm, and a memory like an elephant. Tony possessed both a giant intellect and a great sense of humor. For this and so much more, he will be missed. A Celebration of his Life will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Lexington on October, 8, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made by check to the Peter B. Clough Scholarship Fund, 3500 Raymond Street, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 or www.OpenEarth.org

View the online memorial for Shepard Anthony "Tony" CLOUGH