William Alexander Van Hook

Born in Patterson, N.J. on January 14, 1936, he lived in many different states before the family settled near Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with degrees in Philosophy and Chemistry and from Johns Hopkins University with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. While working at Brookhaven National Laboratory, he met his wife, Nancy Ashton, and married in 1962. He accepted a professorship in Physical Chemistry at the University of Tennessee where he had a long and distinguished career as a teacher and researcher. He was a Fulbright scholar, NAS scholar, Senate Faculty President, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Chemical Society.

Aleck and his wife shared a love of adventure to many parts of the world and his work allowed him to travel extensively through North America, Europe, and Asia. As an outdoor enthusiast, he enjoyed boating, golfing, and snow skiing. He was also an avid reader, loved the opera, and was an active member of Saint John XXIII University Parish where he fostered many long-lasting friendships.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Leonora Van Hook, and his daughter, Anne Marie. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy, his sons Mark with wife Cheri and Jonathan with wife Tracey, and his 4 grandchildren, James and his wife Ruby, Caroline, Eleanor, and Andrew. He is also survived by his siblings, Jane, Andrew “Buck”, Sue, Leonora, all of whom live in New England, and their families.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint John XXIII University Parish on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. with receiving of friends at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knoxville Catholic Charities.