Dr. Phillip Lynn Dougherty
OBITUARY
“JUNE 16, 1939 – MARCH 20, 2026”
Dr. Phillip Lynn Dougherty, a dedicated educator and civil servant, died Friday, March 20, 2026, at his residence in Pennsylvania Furnace. He was 86.
Born June 16, 1939, in Denver, Colorado, he was the son of the late Frank Lynn Dougherty and Norma Sophronia (Phillips) Dougherty. Dr. Dougherty is survived by his sisters, Catherine Dougherty and Gertrude “Trudi” de Fries. He was preceded in death by his sister, Luanna Clapper.
Dr. Dougherty is also survived by his wife of 52 years, the Reverend Nancy Jean (Robinson) Dougherty. They shared a home in Reading, PA, blending their families when they married. He is also survived by his children: Mignon Thea (Dougherty) Vath (Aaron Vath), Bethany Paige Lightner (Stephan Lutz), Sherman Lynn Dougherty, and his eldest daughter, Heather Ann Dougherty (Christian Duerr).
Dr. Dougherty is also survived by his seven wonderful grandchildren: Timothy James Vath, Simon Wesley Vath, Carl Albert “Chip” Vath, Saxtyn Rosalia Lutz, William Phillip Duerr, Benjamin Warren Duerr, and Taylor Ann Duerr.
He was a member of Holy Cross United Methodist Church, Reading, PA.
After graduating from Lakewood High School, Dr. Dougherty studied applied chemistry at Colorado State University and continued his education there, pursuing his MS in Inorganic Chemistry and MA in Education. Dr. Dougherty completed his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Denver in 1970.
Dr. Phillip was an avid outdoorsman, scaling a dozen of the fourteeners in Colorado, as well as skiing throughout Colorado’s backcountry and ski areas. Dr. Phillip served on the National Ski Patrol both in Colorado and in Pennsylvania, in active volunteer service for 51 years.
Dr. Dougherty, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, spent over 40 years at Albright College, Reading, PA, teaching various classes in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Advanced Laboratory Science, as well as classes taking adventurous students to the Bahamian Field Station for full immersion in studying tropical biodiversity during the day, and by night, studying the populations of Erophylla sezekorni and Chilonatalus tumidifrons, otherwise known as the Buffy Flower Bat and Funnel Ear Bat, respectively.
Early in Dr. Dougherty’s career at Albright, he coached the men’s cross-country team and started the first women’s cross-county team.
After retiring, he continued his teaching in Continuing Education for eight more years. He was proud of all his students and athletes.
Dr. Dougherty was a lifelong adventurer, enjoying camping with his children and grandchildren, scuba diving; caving and climbing; boating and water skiing; and piloting his Cessna aircraft, as well as being a dedicated civil servant, serving as a technical advisor, member, or volunteer for such organizations as Berks County Hazardous Materials Response Team, volunteer firefighter with the Reading Bureau of Fire, Democratic Ward Chairman for his local district, and serving on the board of the Reading Area Water Authority.
Friends will be received from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Jacob’s Church aka: the White Church, 5873 Seven Points Rd, Hesston, PA 16647. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 28th, at the church, with Pastor Barbara Servello officiating. Interment will follow in the Jacobs Church aka: the White Church Cemetery, Penn Township, Hesston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in remembrance of Dr. Phillip Lynn Dougherty can be made to the ClearWater Conservancy, 2555 N. Atherton St., State College, PA 16803.
To sign an online guest book and express condolences, visit www.johnbbrownfuneralhome.com.
Services are under the direction of the John B. Brown Funeral Home, 417 Washington St., Huntingdon, PA 16652.