11/08/2021
By Richard D. Hansen
James P. Phelps, 97, passed away on Oct. 25, 2021 at Pioneer Care and Rehab Center in Dillon, Mont. Prior to his retirement in 1994, he was the professor in charge of Neutron Physics radiation and nuclear engineering at Lowell Technical Institute in Lowell, Mass.
During his time at the UMass Lowell's forerunner, which began in 1970, he directed the UML nuclear reactor, chaired the Nuclear Engineering Department for many years and was Principal Investigator for several years for the UML contract with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
During that time, he advised hundreds, if not thousands of students and led the department as it ushered a pioneer effort in solar energy utilization.
See his full obituary.