Jon Thoreau Scott PhD.

Jon Thoreau Scott, 94, passed away on July 1, 2026 at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in East Taghkanic, NY in 1932, son of JoAnn Wheeler and John G. Scott, who were both teachers. In 1934, the family moved to New Jersey to attend and teach at the Ferrer Modern School, where students had the freedom to determine what they would learn. Jon credited being a self-directed learner during his 12 years at the Modern School for his later academic achievements. The family returned to their farm in East Taghkanic where Jon graduated from Roeliff Jansen HS in 1950. He then earned a BS in Biochemistry and Food Technology in 1954 at Cornell University.

Jon, a Korean War veteran, entered the USAF in 1954 and served in Alaska as a pilot and radar controller. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his future wife Kathleen Flaherty and earned a PhD in Meteorology with a specialty in Bioclimatology and Physical Limnology. They married in 1963 and moved to Albany NY where Jon began his 33 year long career in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at SUNY Albany. Kathleen, an educator, earned a PhD at SUNY Albany and taught in the Education Department at the College of Saint Rose for 24 years. Jon helped organize the University's first Earth Day in 1970. He was Director of Environmental Studies (1973-75) and Chair of the Atmospheric Sciences Department (1990-1996). His daughter Elizabeth often assisted with his fieldwork studies on vegetation and the effects of acid rain on forests in the Northeast. The Scotts purchased land near Altamont and built an energy efficient home in 1978, doing some of the work themselves. In retirement, Jon served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Friends of the Modern School and edited a book preserving its history, published his theory of Plate Tectonics, traveled, golfed, bowled and enjoyed life on his property with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Kathleen (Flaherty) Scott, his daughter Elizabeth Ann Scott of Altamont, his niece Nina Scott Frisch and nephew Michael Frisch, both of Norway, and his cousin Edwin Post of Altamont. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Shelley Scott Frisch, his nephew Kai Frisch, his cousin Lawrence Post, and many friends and colleagues. Well-wishers, friends and family are invited to a memorial service to be held in late August 2026.

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