In Memoriam
Fall 2015
Purdue Marketing & Media
Krannert mourns Dean Emeritus Dennis Weidenaar
Dennis J. Weidenaar, former dean of the Krannert School of Management and professor emeritus of economics, died May 16, 2015, after a long illness. He was 78 years old.
Weidenaar was a graduate of Calvin College, received his master’s degree in economics at the University of Chicago and earned his PhD in economics from Purdue University. He was teaching at Grand Rapids Christian High School when he answered an advertisement promoting graduate economics education at Purdue. He moved to West Lafayette in 1962 and became a teaching assistant to his mentor and Krannert’s first dean, Emanuel T. Weiler, with whom he later authored an economics textbook. Weidenaar met his wife of 48 years, Kristin, at Purdue in 1964. They wed Aug. 13, 1966.
Weidenaar became a full-time economics instructor in 1966, served as assistant professor and associate professor, and in 1978 became a full professor. He was appointed dean in 1990, then returned to teaching in 1999 until he retired in 2005. During his tenure as dean, he expanded the scope of the Krannert School to Europe and Southeast Asia and led it to a top-25 ranking. He was an accomplished, innovative, award-winning teacher recognized nationally for his contributions to economics education.
In addition to his distinguished career, Weidenaar was an active member of his community, serving at his church and on charitable organizations. He was a devoted and loving husband and a role model to his two children and four grandchildren.
A Purdue scholarship has been established in recognition of Weidenaar’s innumerable contributions to the field of economics and his passion for the students he served.
Remembering our departed alumni
John C. Jamison, BSIE ’56, Williamsburg, VA, Feb. 23, 2015.
Robert J. Schultz, BSIM ’63, Shorewood, WI, Feb. 1, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Marcia.
John D. Miller, BSIM ’65, Winchester, TN, Jan. 28, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Anita.
Robert J. Lung, BSIM ’70, Corte Madera, CA, Jan. 17, 2015.
Robert L. Clidence, BSIM ’71, MSM ’72, Carmel, IN, March 1, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (HHS ’69).
Stephen P. Ridgway, BSIM ’72, Clarks Hill, IN, Jan. 3, 2015.
Scott Emerson Pylat, BSIM ’73, Piedmont, SC, Jan. 3, 2015.
Steven James Schaefer, BSIM ’74, Carmel, IN, March 4, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Paula.
Douglas Jay Gilbert, BSM ’83, Houston, TX, Jan. 3, 2015.
Donald W. Miller, MSM ’94, New Providence, NJ, Jan. 3, 2015.
Keith A. Miller, MSM ’97, Indianapolis, IN, Feb. 6, 2015.
Ji Hong Min PhD ’13, South Korea, Sept. 2015.
