Creston “Mickey” King, longtime member of the Department of Physics, passed away on November 11, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 90

A native of San Antonio, Mickey joined the Loyola Physics Department as an assistant professor in 1966. Over the course of an extraordinary 43-year career—he retired in 2009—he taught generations of students in the large introductory physics courses required of all natural science majors. His easygoing, approachable manner made him an exceptionally effective teacher, and he was deeply admired by those he taught. During his tenure, he was honored with the national award for Outstanding Chapter Advisor from the Society of Physics Students.

Mickey’s research focused on low-temperature physics, and he often collaborated with fellow faculty member Dave Keiffer. He spent two summers as a NASA-ASEE Fellow at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, conducting research with Alabama Cryogenic Engineering on cooling systems for space applications.

At Loyola, Mickey was also the guardian of one of the department’s most unusual assets: the helium liquefier, capable of reaching temperatures as low as –452°F. Its control panel remains on display in the first-floor corridor of Monroe Hall.

In what may be a record for service, Mickey became chair of the Physics Department in the mid1970s and held the position for more than 40 years. In a characteristically generous act, he donated his monthly chair’s stipend back to the department. After his retirement, this substantial contribution became the foundation of the King Fund, which continues to support research in the Department of Physics.

Outside of academia, Mickey was known for many passions. As a teenager, he acquired a 1930 Ford Model A—an automobile he lovingly maintained for the rest of his life. He and his wife, Nan, who worked for many years in Loyola’s IT Department and passed away in 2023, spent countless hours restoring the car. Mickey was easily recognized driving it around town, proudly bearing its “PHYSICS” license plate. It could often be seen parked outside of the old Monroe Hall.

He was also an accomplished pilot and flight instructor, spending many weekends at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, where he taught numerous Loyola faculty and students to fly.

A talented and enthusiastic golfer, Mickey enjoyed regular rounds with colleagues. His interests were broad, and for many years he was a devoted participant in the Spanish table in the faculty dining room.

For those who knew him, one image remains especially vivid: the short walk from Monroe Hall to the Danna Center, which often took Mickey far longer than expected because he stopped so frequently to chat with students, staff, and faculty. His warmth, curiosity, and kindness left a mark on generations of the Loyola community.

Mickey King will be remembered with great affection and profound gratitude by all who had the privilege of knowing him.