Son of Robert Emmet Donahue, son of Michaeal Donahue, emigrant from Coomacullen Townland, Glenflesk, Co. Kerry and Mary Josephine Lyndon from Tarbert, Co. Kerry. AB, Latin, Greek and Physics, Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Ph. D. Physics, Johns Hopkins University, 1948. Faculty positions at Hopkins, Pittsburgh and Michigan. Chair Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science at U of M Ann Arbor. Member USA National Academy of Sciences. Chairman of the Space Science Board of the NAS 1982-1988. Member and chair
of numerous Boards and committees. Participant and chief scientist on many space missions: Earth orbital, Venus, Mars, the Outer Planets. Particular area of expertise-origin and evlution of planetary atmospheres, particularly where water is concerned, in order to understand how conditions conducive to the development of life were established and nourished.
Was an expert on Irish history, particularly that of the O Donoghue tribes. Spent much time in Glenflesk and was well acquainted with the O Donoghues of that part of Ireland. Was the first and an outstanding Group Administrator for the O Donoghue yDNA Project.

He married Esther McPherson in 1950. They have sons, Brian-1955,Kevin-1958 and Neil-1963 , and 6 grand children, 5 girls and 1 boy. Brian and Neil are faculty members at Brandeis(History) and Carnegie Mellon(Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Universities, Kevin is a Structural Engineer and Architect in Berkeley, CA