Dr. Quinn was a renowned physicist and dedicated campus leader,” said Interim Chancellor Wayne Davis.” His love for the University of Tennessee and his legacy as a researcher and educator makes us proud to call him part of the Volunteer family. On behalf of the university, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

“We are deeply saddened by John’s passing,” according to a statement from the Department of Physics. “He was a distinguished administrator over decades in higher education as well as a titan in condensed matter physics theory. But he also was a true gentleman with a big heart and was liked and admired by so many people around him. We will miss him dearly.”

Quinn was internationally recognized for helping create the research specialty of two-dimensional electronic systems.