Kansas University is mourning the death of longtime physics professor Raymond Ammar, 77.

Ammar taught at KU for more than 40 years and was chairman of the physics and astronomy department from 1989 to 2003.

“Colleagues across the university had great admiration for Ray Ammar, his important research and the passion for teaching he brought to his students at the University of Kansas,” KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said.

Joseph Steinmetz, dean of KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said Ammar made significant research, teaching and service contributions to KU and the field of high-energy physics. Current department chairman Stephen J. Sanders said Ammar was able to triple research funding for the department during his time as chairman.

Ammar, who died last weekend, earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1959.

He also worked at Northwestern University, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory before coming to KU in 1969. Ammar had focused on teaching at KU since stepping down as chairman in 2003. He was a member of the American Physical Society.

Memorial services are pending.