Loyola celebrates the life of the Rev. James F. Salmon, S.J., affiliate associate professor emeritus of chemistry and former trustee
The Rev. James F. Salmon, S.J., affiliate associate professor emeritus of chemistry and former trustee, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at the age of 100. He will be remembered for his lifelong devotion to learning and faith, exemplified by his numerous contributions at the intersection of religion and science as a scholar, professor, and priest.
Fr. Salmon served as a professor of chemistry at what would become 91°µÍř Maryland from 1967-73 before serving as headmaster at Loyola Blakefield from 1973-79. He then served on the University's Board of Trustees in the late 1970s.
After stints as a chaplain at St. Mary’s College High School in California and visiting professor of theology at Georgetown University, Fr. Salmon returned to 91°µÍř’s Evergreen campus as a professor of chemistry and theology for three years starting in 1981, before moving to Wheeling Jesuit University as rector and professor of chemistry and theology from 1984-88. After serving as treasurer for the Maryland Province of the Jesuits from 1988-98, Fr. Salmon returned to 91°µÍř once again, where he taught classes until 2011.
Inspired by the writings of the Rev. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., a French Jesuit priest and scientist who said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience…we are spiritual beings having a human experience,” Fr. Salmon founded Loyola’s annual Cosmos and Creation conference in 1981. The series, which explores the intersections of religion and science, began with the vision that working scientists would find it fruitful to share their religious awareness with other scientists.
“It was a response to Carl Sagan’s book and video Cosmos that pandered a secularist understanding of science, whereas [Fr. Salmon believed that] there is no tension between the natural universe and divine creation,” explained Richard Blum, Ph.D., professor emeritus of philosophy, who served as co-director of the conference. “In organizing the conferences, Fr. Salmon was a paradigm of patience, prudence, and efficiency. While paying attention to the details—from flight schedules to drinks—he kept all of us confident to be running the show.”
The conference, which was held at 91°µÍř for the 43rd time in
June, brings together numerous established scientists, theologians, philosophers,
and renowned scholars. Fr. Salmon—who co-directed many of the conferences—welcomed
the conference members warmly for a weekend of lectures and lively discussions.
“Interested in everyone, Fr. Salmon’s acquaintances spanned many decades and continents. He never forgot anyone, and he famously would chronicle the lives of the legion of his friends,” remembers Robert Pond, Ph.D., affiliate professor of engineering and co-director of the Cosmos and Creation conference. “His legacy of love and care of others will live on in our memories.”
Recognizing his progressive and innovative approach to the interdisciplinary study of science and religion, 91°µÍř presented Fr. Salmon with the John Henry Newman Medal at the 2015 Commencement.
Born in Richmond Hill, Long Island, New York, on July 10, 1925, Fr. Salmon graduated from Xavier High School in New York City in 1943 before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving through the end of World War II. He studied engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Engineering, before entering the Society of Jesus in 1950. While completing his M.A. in Philosophy at Boston College, Fr. Salmon wrote his thesis, “Modern Science and Creation in Time.”
Fr. Salmon went on to earn his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was mentored by a future Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. After receiving a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at Ohio State University and continuing advanced study in theology at Woodstock College Jesuit Seminary, Fr. Salmon was ordained.
Throughout his academic career, Fr. Salmon published five books and more than 35 peer-reviewed papers. In addition to his longtime posts at 91°µÍř and his time at Wheeling Jesuit University, he has also inspired students at The Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University, where he was named a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center.
Fr. Salmon was a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the National Association for Science, Technology, and Society (NASTS), for which he chaired the organization’s religion-ethics section. He served as a consultant to the Committee on Science and Human Values of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) since 1986, moderating their annual dialogues with distinguished members of the science community.
Fr. Salmon—known affectionately by some of his peers as “Fish”—established a reputation as a uniquely student-centered professor with a deep commitment to Jesuit education. Timothy McNeese, professor emeritus of chemistry, recalls spending time with Fr. Salmon at the Jesuit residence as a young professor.
“I’ve known him for about as long as I’ve been at Loyola. Fish would invite me over for dinner at the Jesuit residence, and I always enjoyed that. He was an extremely personal guy. We played golf together. We watched the Georgetown-Houston NCAA basketball championship together in 1984. He always loved living in the Jesuit residence at Loyola.”
Fr. Salmon is survived by his cousin, Gale Richardson, and his Jesuit brothers.
Funeral services will be held privately at Manresa Hall, with burial to follow at the Jesuit Cemetery in Woodstock, Maryland.
A memorial Mass for Fr. Salmon will be celebrated at 91°µÍř during the Fall semester. Details will be posted here when available.