Deceased October 30, 2019
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In Memory
Bill Purdy passed away on Oct. 30 after a prolonged illness. A loving and devoted family man, Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Myrna Moman Purdy (Mount Holyoke ’53), whom he called Chris; three of his children: R. Scott Purdy ’77, Lisa Purdy (Mount Holyoke ’79) and Lori Purdy Sonntag (Mount Holyoke ’82); and his five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Robert Purdy (1954–1958) and his brother, John Earl Purdy Jr. ’54.
Bill came to Amherst from Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a member of Phi Alpha Psi fraternity, lettered in swimming and sang first tenor with the Glee Club.
Bill earned his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955. He pursued a career in academia, first at the University of Connecticut and then at the University of Maryland, where he became a full professor in 1964 and head of the analytical division in 1968.
In 1976, Bill left Maryland to become professor of analytical chemistry at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec. He was appointed Sir William C. Macdonald Professor of Chemistry and associate vice principal (academic). He directed or co-directed the research of 49 recipients of the Ph.D. degree and 23 recipients of the M.Sc. degree. He authored or co-authored 244 peer reviewed publications. His monograph, Electroanalytical Methods in Biochemistry, was published in 1965 by McGraw-Hill. Bill retired in 2000.
Singing was Bill’s form of relaxation and his avocation. A devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, he sang in various church choirs, including the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal, which excelled in its eight major public concerts each year. Bill had fond memories of the Fairest College and remained active in alumni affairs, homecomings and reunions.
Chris Purdy, Lisa, Lori and Scott, with input from Everett E. Clark ’51