In Memoriam

To celebrate the lives and impact of faculty in our community who have passed, we share news of faculty deaths, for all faculty who have worked at DU. This includes retired faculty, faculty currently at DU, and faculty who worked at DU and have moved on to other institutions.

If you are aware of other faculty who passed away that are not listed here, please let us know and we will ensure that they are recognized on this page.

In Memoriam: Jerry Plunkett

June 25, 2025 Dear DU community, I write with the news of the passing of former DU Vice Chancellor and Research and Technology Director, Dr. Jerry Plunkett, who was 97 when he passed away in Waynesville, Missouri earlier this spring. Dr. Plunkett was a materials...

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In Memoriam: Elizabeth Tuttle

June 24, 2025 Dear DU community, I write with the sad news of the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Tuttle, Professor Emeritus of Physics, within the Department of Engineering on May 18, 2025, at the age of 86. Dr. Tuttle was a key faculty member who contributed to the...

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In Memoriam: Dr. Bernard “Bernie” Spilka

Dear DU community members, I write with sad news of the passing of Bernard “Bernie” Spilka, Professor Emeritus in Psychology in the College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences on Friday May 23, at the age of 98. Dr. Spilka was a military veteran and earned his...

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In Memoriam: John Tiedemann

Dear DU community members, It is with great sadness that I write to share the news that John Tiedemann, a Teaching Associate Professor in the University Writing Program, passed away on September 18, 2024. Professor Tiedemann taught courses in the University Writing...

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In Memoriam: Steve Fisher

December 20, 2024 Dear DU community members, We write with sad news of the passing of former University Historian and Library Associate Professor Steve Fisher on December 4, 2024. Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts in History, Master of Arts in History, and...

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In Memoriam: Professor William Cross

Dear DU community members, It is with great sadness that we write to share the news that Dr. William E. “Bill” Cross, Jr., Emeritus Professor in the Morgridge College of Education, passed away on Thursday December 5, 2024. Professor Cross was an unparalleled leader in...

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In Memoriam: Professor Ved Nanda

Dear DU community members, It is with deepest sorrow that we write to inform you of the passing of Emeritus Professor Ved Nanda, a Distinguished University Professor in the Sturm College of Law. Professor Nanda passed away on Monday in the company of family and...

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In Memoriam: Professor Joseph Docksey

Dear DU community members, It is with great sadness that I write to share the news that Joseph “Joe” Docksey, a longtime faculty member and former Director of the Lamont School of Music, passed away on Saturday December 9, 2023. Joe was beloved by many colleagues and...

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In Memoriam: Sylvester Houston

Dear DU community members, It is with great sadness that I write to share the news that Sylvester Houston, an Emeritus Lecturer in the Management Department in the Daniels College of Business, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023. Syl was a veteran, serving his...

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In Memoriam: Dr. Jodie Kreider

Dear DU community members, It is with great sadness that I write to share the news that Dr. Jodie Kreider, a Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor in History in the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS), passed away after a brief illness on Sunday,...

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