Obituary of Philip Deines-Jones

Philip (Phil) Deines-Jones, 48, of Silver Spring, MD, died of probable anaphylactic shock April 3, while biking on Sligo Creek Trail in Wheaton. An astrophysicist, Deines-Jones worked for the past 12 years in the X-ray astrophysics group at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt. He was recognized for his work on imaging micropattern proportional counters for applications in high energy astrophysics. At the time of his death he was the Instrument Scientist for the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) mission, which employs this technology. Philip Vern Deines-Jones was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He received dual degrees in physics and mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 1996, he moved to Silver Spring and began work at Goddard as a National Science Foundation Fellow. He remained at the Center until his death. He was an avid CCD astronomer and photographer who constructed his own observatory at his home. He also enjoyed cooking and food photography and with his wife, Courtney, contributed to the food blog realfoodfans.com. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Courtney Deines-Jones; two brothers, Christopher Jones of Rochester, Minnesota and Dumont (Marc) Jones of Columbus, Ohio; a niece and three nephews. Services of remembrance are planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Philip to AdvoCATs, Inc. at www.Advocats-inc.org For additional information and tributes, visit www.rappfuneral.com