John Donnelly, Professor Emeritus in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, passed away at the age of 91 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. John was lovingly referred to as “Doc” by UVM faculty, staff, and students alike. He began his career at UVM as an Assistant Professor of Forestry in 1969. John retired in 2001, after a distinguished and impactful career in the Rubenstein School. He remained an active member of the community after retirement, teaching part time until 2008, and continuing to attend the annual “Doc Donnelly Day” celebration that welcomed students, faculty, and staff back to campus each fall.
John was described by family as youthful, energetic, and a lover of the outdoors. Colleagues from UVM shared sentiments of sorrow and gratitude upon the news of his passing.
“I had the pleasure of serving with John on the Rubenstein School faculty for several decades,” shared Professor Emeritus Bob Manning. “He was a UVM institution and an inspiration to all of us, especially his students. John was first and foremost a teacher who cherished his students, famously searching them out in the library the night before exams to offer encouragement and answer last-minute questions. His passing is very sad, but it’s hard to think of Doc Donnelly without smiling.”
Allan Strong '83, Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, got to know John both as a professor and a colleague. "As a teacher, John gave off a bit of an 'absent minded professor' vibe." Long before PowerPoint, faculty used overhead projectors and a rainbow palette of colored markers to highlight important points. "During class, ink from John's colored markers was never restricted to his overheads, and he would invariably walk away from lecture splattered with ink from forehead to chin. However, when I got to know John as a colleague, it became obvious that his 'act' was all about making sure students were paying attention and continually developing the best ways to enhance student learning. His dedication to student success feels like a legacy that John has left for all of us in the Rubenstein School."
In 1999, John was awarded “Professor of the Year for Vermont” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. A Vermont Quarterly article announcing the honor highlighted John’s teaching style and the way he adapted to the needs of his students. “Doc regularly gets the equivalent of five-star ratings from his students on all scores. He calculates his success by the growth he sees in his students and remains discontent until they do well and until he does better. For most of his years at UVM, he taught in ‘the traditional lecture mode,’ but became convinced that, ‘for long-term learning to take place, students must become more actively involved in the learning process.’” In the article, John is quoted as thanking his students for being the best teachers he ever encountered.
John was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and served in the US Air Force during the end of the Korean War. His academic career was made possible by the GI bill. He pursued his undergraduate degree at UVM and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Forestry was his specialty and passion. John was also remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, an avid sailor, and a comedic force. A funeral mass was held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes, Vermont on April 9, 2026, to honor John’s life. Read his full obituary.
To honor John’s legacy, faculty and alumni from the Rubenstein School have come together to establish the John “Doc” Donnelly Memorial Fund. The initial goal of the fund is to plant a memorial tree in John’s honor. Raised funds will cover the planting of the tree, a commemorative plaque, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Gifts can be made using the online campaign form or by mail.