Father George Coyne, sJ

Father George V. Coyne, S.J. studied astronomy at Georgetown and graduated in 1962 with a PhD. He is currently the McDevitt Chair in Physics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, and Emeritus Director of the Vatican Observatory.

What was your relationship to Father Heyden?

I was a graduate student in the astronomy department from 1958 through 1962 when Father Heyden was Director.

Tell me about Father Heyden.

Father Heyden was a genuinely warm human being, an excellent research scientist, a dedicated mentor and a caring pastoral priest all rolled into one. He was a ball of energy rolled into a small package. He had a sense of humor which penetrated beneath the surface of everyday life.

What is your best memory of Father Heyden?

I would often help him with group visits to the Georgetown Campus and Observatory Hill. As we led a German group through the cemetery in the dell one of the Germans asked Father Heyden: “Are all Jesuits buried here?” The intended question was, of course: “Are all of those buried here Jesuits.” But Father Heyden seized upon the opportunity and responded to the original question: “Oh my gosh no. They are not all dead yet.” And under his breath I heard him say to himself: “But a lot of them above ground look like it.” This was just one example of his subtle way of getting beyond the normal view of things and people.

What would you ask Father Heyden if he were here today?

Does the research science you and others have done help you to pray to God who created this universe out of love?

How do you think Father Heyden would want to be remembered?

As one who genuinely cared for people, especially those most in need.

What is the image of Father Heyden that persists?

A person who made no pretenses about the talents God had given him but accepted them as God’s gifts and used them to the service of others.

Submitted by Father Coyne to Grace Maglieri via email August 24, 2017.