John William McConkey

It was with great sadness that I received the news of the death of Bill McConkey. Words can never convey the wonderful and long lasting influence that Bill was to me personally and also to my family. I was a student and then postdoctoral fellow, in Bill’s Atomic Physics laboratory, from late 1972 to late 1979. From the moment that I arrived in Windsor, I realised that Bill was different from anyone that I had ever met before. He was clearly an eminent atomic physicist but what stood out was his love and care for his students. He was a wonderful mentor, a very talented physicist but also very humble. I quickly learnt that he was a Christian and that the way he treated people was based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. He didn’t have to tell me this, he just lived it in his everyday life. This was a first for me because I didn’t grow up in a Christian home and had never met a Christian before. I was never the best student in his laboratory, but through his mentoring, he brought out the best in me and remains the best “boss” that I have ever worked for. He once told me that he measured his own success by the success of his students. I think that sums him up well. After leaving Windsor, I went on to a career in the laser industry where I was responsible for designing and developing sealed Carbon Dioxide lasers. I once shared with Bill, that all that I had learnt about vacuum technology in his lab, had proved essential. His response was typical of Bill, “God is very efficient and never wastes anything that we learn.” As a young physicist in my early twenties, I could have so easily become an agnostic or even an atheist but one day Bill came into the lab and asked me if I would like to go to church with him! That Sunday I went to Campbell Baptist Church (James Rendle was the pastor) and so began my journey to find Christ. Bill also encouraged his students by leading a bible study in the lab at lunch time. I’ve been a Christian for over 50 years now and I always smile when I remember those bible studies, surrounded by atomic physics experiments. “Beneath the beams where atoms smash, the word of truth broke down the brash.” Like many physicists, I am always fascinated by the unexpected consequences of waves travelling out far beyond the original disturbance. For me, Bill disturbed my world-view and the ripples of that disturbance have changed the lives of so many people in my family. My ageing parents became believers, my three children went on to discover Jesus for themselves and now my eight grandchildren are following the same path, all because of Bill’s bravery and example. My daughter contacted me, after hearing of Bill’s death, with these words, “I have thought often that he is part of my origin story of faith. That simple act of bravery in inviting you, has had ripple effects across continents and over generations.” Rest well, dear Bill, until we meet again, Geoffrey Allcock

The McConkeys at the International Symposium on Atomic Cluster Collisions in St. Petersburg in July 2003.

It is very sad to hear about Bill's passing away, and I extend my heart-felt condolences to Maureen and all the family. I joined Bill's group as a post-doctoral research associate in January 1989, eventually spending 5 years in Bill's lab until December 1993, when I found a permanent post at Maynooth University in Ireland. Those were 5 very pleasant years, with nice research done in collaboration with Bill and his post-graduate students. I also enjoyed the informal contacts during lunch time swimming, visits to the McConkey's home, and at Campbell Baptist Church. During vacations I explored other regions of Canada and became impressed with its natural beauty. Because I continued working in atomic and molecular physics, attendance of conferences provided opportunities to see Bill on occasion, and also Maureen who always accompanied Bill on his travels. The photo below was taken at the 23rd ICPEAC conference in Stockholm in July 2003.

Bill celebrates a good putt (and likely a win) at his annual "Last Laugh" golf tournament. Note this is a rare instance where he is not in sandals.

Bill in the 2nd floor lecture room at U Windsor, 1990.

Bill McConkey was introduced to me by his daughter Ruth while I was wrapping up my MSc at UWO in 1989 with Brian Mitchell, another Queen's U Belfast alum. Bill's character, experience, research record, and busy AMO lab with its variety of research topics pursued by PhD students Craig, Jay, Murray, Shouye and post-doc Peter attracted me to Windsor. That's us in the photo from 1990, with summer students Andreas and Mark. Bill introduced me to sandals with socks (argyle - grand!), the joy of golf, mulligans, lunchtime swim, the "boss pot" and physics conferences with funny names like "Gaseous Electronics". And serendipity. That last bit because I had been working with an old photomultiplier tube he brought with his lab move from Queen's in Belfast in the 60's. I was getting nowhere and discouraged though everything tested OK. That is until the old tube gave up and the late Arie van Wijndgaarden (another missed physicist) very kindly loaned me one of his spares with then novel NIR sensitivity. And that did it. Data. Papers. Dissertation. Discovery often happens by fortunate accidents more often than we know. But the conditions (and funding) must be created for that to happen and Bill delivered. Conversations with Bill were always enjoyable. I still chuckle at his relationship advice, the Gumpian "love is like two porcupines, their quills can poke the other as they draw closer." Bill also loaned me his camera after my SLR's shutter broke just as I departed for the big road trip to my post-doc at JPL. Maureen and Bill were always welcoming to us strangers, come from away, we physics students from all over Canada and the world. No small feat for what was likely a herd of cats. And to Maureen, Ruth, Andrew, Deborah, Krista and your families I grieve with you. Though I haven't visited Windsor in some 20+ years my time there in the early nineties is never far from mind. This sad news has brought on a flood of memories. I wish I had the chance to see Bill in person again and talk about everything we've done since. Lance LeClair, Virginia, July 3 2026 *The "boss pot" is a control knob, a potentiometer that appears on a panel of many for electron beam control but is wired to nothing in case Bill needed to pose for photos and look researchy without disturbing the PhD candidate's arduous tuning.

I was very sad to hear of Bill's passing. I first worked with Bill in the Atomic Physics department of Queen's University of Belfast in 1998-1999. Bill was on a distinguished professorship visit and I was in the first year of my PhD. We struck up a great friendship and worked very well together. Not only was Bill a wonderful experimental physics co-worker, he was also a wonderful mentor. He was always very encouraging to me in his gentle way. So much so, I applied to do a post-doctoral fellowship with Bill in the University of Windsor. I arrived in January 2003 in the coldest winter in 20 years which was quite a shock, but it was countered the warm embrace of the McConkeys, staying with them for the first couple of nights, and visiting their home many times. It's true that Bill was a very accomplished scientist but it is his friendship and strong but gentle manner I remember most. We even used to go swimming in the university pool a couple of lunchtimes per week. Did you know he learned to swim in the US army pool in Lurgan? Bill was disappointed when I was offered a position back in Belfast in Medical Physics, but being the true gentleman, he understood why I would take this path. He was genuinely excited for me and wished me every success. My year in Windsor is very memorable for me, in no small to my time spent with Bill. You will be missed old friend. Photo attached from 2003 at the University of Windsor (L-->R: Bill McConkey, Cormac McGrath, John MacAskill, Wally Kedzierski)

Sincere condolences to Mrs. McConkey and family on the passing of Dr. McConkey

Hearing of Bill's passing has given me a sad heart. As I work through this unsettling news it's a welcome balm though to remember all of the great memories from my time with him. Most of my time with him was at the University of Windsor, both in undergraduate and post-graduate, where Bill eventually became my PhD supervisor. It is no exaggeration to say that, in large measure, I owe where I am today to Bill. Throughout this time his was known for his faith, his kindness, and his expertise. He was a mentor and a grand role model for me. Annemarie and I send our heartfelt condolences to Maureen and all of the family.

Hearing of Bill's passing has given me a sad heart. As I work through this unsettling news it's a welcome balm though to remember all of the great memories from my time with him. Most of my time with him was at the University of Windsor, both in undergraduate and post-graduate, where Bill eventually became my PhD supervisor. It is no exaggeration to say that, in large measure, I owe where I am today to Bill. Throughout this time his was known for his faith, his kindness, and his expertise. He was a mentor and a grand role model for me. Annemarie and I send our heartfelt condolences to Maureen and all of the family.

To the McConkey family we are saddened to hear the news of your father's passing but encouraged to know that he has heard from his Savior Jesus "well done, good and faithful servant..." Dr. McConkey has eternally made an impact on the Tarcia family starting from the days at Inter-Varsity in Windsor. We have been honored to know him and call him friend. May the Lord of peace surround you and give you strength during your time of sorrow and may God fill you with joy as you celebrate his life. Blessings. Bill and Debbie

I have many happy memories of the McConkey family when I was Pastor of Campbell Baptist Church in Windsor during 1965 to 1977. They were very supportive and I have continued to keep in touch through the years at Christmas time. I thank God for Bill's steadfast love for the Lord and faithful testimony. I even had him come and speak in one of the churches that I had the joy of planting since that time. My condolence to Maureen and all the family. What a beautiful way to enter the presence of the Lord in his sleep. I am waiting at the age of 96.

Bill has made a lasting impression on my life and I am deeply thankful for his amazing legacy. Bill's office at the University of Windsor was a place where Bill shared warm friendship and deep wisdom for those of us who attended Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. Bill and Maureen opened their home to those of us on campus, welcoming us into their family. Decades later, these memories still impact us. He indeed has finished his race well and I count it an honour to have known Bill.

Bill was a wonderful mentor to so many students. At the time, I didn't know how rare and special it was to be able to join and work in a research lab as a first year bachelor student. Those years working the electron collisions taught me so many things that prepared and inspired me for a career in science. He encouraged us in science and in faith and lived a life that prioritized both. I am thankful to have known such a great man. My heartfelt condolences to his family. At coffee/tea times, he spoke of you fondly.

We share your sorrow at the passing of your dear father. Bill was a great encouragement to us in our ministry. We appreciated him and all he did for us. What a comfort to know he is now with the Lord! Blessings on the whole family. David & Susan.

I am so saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I remember meeting Bill and Maureen at an international conference in Boston in 1999, and being starstruck. When I joined the faculty at the University of Windsor in 2004, I couldn't believe my luck at being in the same department as one of the greats of atomic physics. In fact, just this week, I mentioned Bill's laboratory at the Canadian Association of Physicists' Congress, which was a conference that Bill and Maureen participated in annually until they moved to London. I will miss Bill's gentle humour, which along with his high standards, he used to motivate his students and postdocs to give their best. Each day, during "coffee time", he used to tease another colleague, the late Prof. Mordechay Schlesinger, who was a Rabbi with challenge questions from the Bible. He was very proud of all his children, their spouses, and grandchildren. My heartfelt condolences to Maureen and everyone in the family. Chitra (Professor, Dept. of Physics, University of Windsor)

My father planted FORGET ME NOT seeds over 2 weeks ago and together we saw the sprouts coming up last weekend. Bill/ Dad, we will not FORGET you !! We love you forever!! Until we meet again!❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️