Joe and Shirley Eberly met at Stanford University in the late 1950s, introduced on a blind date at a basketball game. He was studying physics; she was majoring in statistics. A few years later, they married and devoted their lives to research, education, and each other.
At the University of Rochester, Joe became a pioneering figure in optics and physics, serving on the faculty for 60 years. Shirley built her own distinguished 38-year career in biostatistics, contributing to groundbreaking studies in neurology and public health.
Following Joe’s death in April 2025, Shirley and the couple’s three daughters—Becky, Ginny, and Lynn—sought a meaningful way to carry forward his legacy along with his intellectual curiosity, love of physics, and commitment to advancing knowledge.
They found a way to do just that.
As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, the Eberly family established two funds in Joe’s memory: the Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship in Physics and the Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship Research Fund. Each gift was carefully designed to reflect the family’s shared values and to further strengthen the University’s commitment to science and research.
“Joe was first and foremost a theoretical physicist,” says Shirley. “We wanted to honor him in a way that would truly benefit the department and the future of science. Knowing how crucial it is for faculty to have funds they can direct themselves, we decided to establish the professorship, as well as the dedicated research fund, and to do so in Joe’s name.”
The Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship in Physics will provide sustained support for a faculty member in the School of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Physics and Astronomy. The professorship is designed to help the department recruit and retain top scholars who are committed to advancing knowledge and educating the next generation of scholars.
Complementing this, the Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship Research Fund will provide the professorship holder with flexible resources to pursue discovery—support that can be used to hire students or postdoctoral fellows, purchase specialized equipment, or seed early-stage, proof-of-concept projects.
“Providing enduring support for faculty as well as research is important, especially right now, at a time when federal funding is waning, and the value of research itself is sometimes questioned,” says Sam Thomas ’00, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “The Eberly family’s generosity will make a difference for years to come.”
Segev Y. BenZvi, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, underscores the gifts’ significance: “Joe’s passing left a huge void in our department. I cannot overstate the importance of his scientific output, his decades of leadership, and his mentorship of so many outstanding young scientists. These gifts celebrate Joe’s remarkable contributions to science and teaching, ensuring that his name will be permanently associated with excellence in physics and optics. We are immensely grateful to Shirley and her family for their generosity.”
In addition to their careers, the couple’s commitment to the University is also reflected in their history of philanthropy. In 2023, Shirley and Joe established the Eberly Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow for Quantum Science fund, which supports senior postdoctoral fellows conducting research in theoretical quantum physics. They also contributed to the Emil Wolf Endowed Award Fund, in honor of the close collaboration between Joe and Wolf.
Shirley tells a story from their early years together that perfectly captures who Joe was—and who he would become. One summer during graduate school, while away for an internship, he began mailing her physics exams he’d written himself, complete with hand-drawn problems and grades upon return. “I guess I passed the test,” she says with a smile. “I think he was practicing for being a professor someday.”
Shirley and Joe would have celebrated their 65th anniversary in September 2025. As noted in his April 2025 obituary, Joe followed his daughters’ lives “with keen attention and deep pride and extended that love and loyalty to his seven grandchildren. He had an easy laugh, sense of humor, and a steady presence. He had a passion for maps and loved to travel, whether for scientific conferences or for pleasure. Closer to home, he loved spotting bald eagles on Irondequoit Bay. He enjoyed good wine, word games, and clever insights about everything from physics to politics.”
For Shirley and her daughters, ensuring that Joe’s commitment to discovery lives on felt like the most fitting tribute. “Joe loved physics,” she adds. “I think he would be very happy to know these gifts have been set up in a way that will always help advance science and scholarship.”
Joe’s research helped define modern quantum optics, deepening the understanding of how light and matter interact at the quantum level. At the University, he made landmark contributions—from describing the collapse and revival of quantum coherence to identifying non-spreading “Bessel” light beams and the sudden loss of quantum entanglement known as “sudden death.”
Joe published more than 400 papers and co-authored several influential textbooks that continue to guide physicists today. A respected leader in the optics community, he served as president of Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America) and was named an Honorary Member in 2021. Joe also founded Optics Express, one of the first open-access online scientific journals—a step he viewed as essential to making research freely available to all.
“Everyone admired Joe—for his intellect, his kindness, and his dry wit,” says Tom Brown, the director of the University’s Institute of Optics, who called Joe “a giant in the optics community.” “We miss him dearly, and we’re deeply grateful to the Eberly family—their support and Joe’s legacy will change many lives. He left a lasting mark on science and influenced generations of students and colleagues—and because of these gifts, he always will.”
Nicholas Bigelow, the Lee A. DuBridge Professor of Physics emphasizes, “Joe was a cherished colleague, and he and Shirley were both dear friends for more than 30 years. Their grace, warmth, and devotion to students, faculty, and visitors helped shaped our community. The Eberly family’s generous gifts beautifully honor Joe’s spirit and ensure that his legacy of mentorship, service, and scientific excellence endures.”
Joe Eberly’s work on laser ionization influenced the doctoral research of Nobel laureate Donna Strickland ’89 (PhD), reflecting his lasting impact on physics and education. “The Eberly family’s gifts memorialize Joe, who was a wonderful mentor to me, not just during my time as a student at the University of Rochester, but throughout my career,” she says. “I still remember how excited he was to see data come to life in the lab. As a theoretical physicist, he had a curiosity and enthusiasm that were especially striking and have always stayed with me.”
Strickland adds that, decades later, Joe gave her the encouragement to run for president of the Optical Society. “I’ll always be grateful for that support. Without it, I might have missed one of the most rewarding opportunities of my career. The Eberlys’ generosity ensures that his legacy of mentorship and discovery will continue for future students and scholars.”
Read more: “Pioneering physicist and optical scientist Joe Eberly remembered.”
Philanthropy and engagement are critical to the future success of the University. Learn how you can support For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. To make a difference across arts, sciences, and the humanities, contact Ashley Smith, Executive Director of Advancement for the School of Arts & Sciences, or Derek Swanson, Executive Director of Advancement for the Hajim School.
–Kristine Kappel Thompson, January 2026