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Former political science
head dies
By Dave Stephens
Assistant
Campus Editor
Honest. Respectful. Hardworking. A talented scholar.
A man of integrity.
These descriptions, used repeatedly by his colleagues,
show the regard and admiration that was felt for Frank "Lee" Wilson,
professor and former department head of political science.
Wilson, 60, died Friday at St. Vincent Hospital
in Indianapolis after a long battle with heart disease.
Marty Dahlstrom, who worked as Wilson's secretary
for eight years, said Wilson was the best boss she ever had.
"Nothing was ever my fault; he just treated me
as an equal, with a lot of respect," said Dahlstrom. "He was a very
warm-hearted, caring, generous, and kind person. I really miss him."
Wilson, who joined the Purdue faculty in 1971,
served as department head from 1988 to 2001. A talented professor, he
authored many publications on the French political environment and wrote
several textbooks. Wilson also received the Humanities, Social Sciences
and Education in Teaching Award in 1974 and the Frederick L. Hovde Award
in 1989.
"There was a terrific working relationship between
the faculty and him," said William Shaffer, current head of political
science. "He supported most of the things we wanted to get done."
Shaffer said he remembers Wilson's dedication to
the department the best — the way he could get things done when
they seemed impossible.
"He seemed to have more time and energy than a
lot of people," said Shaffer. "He made a lot of important changes, was
a very solid teacher; he made every contribution that a department head
can make."
Bob Melson, professor of political science, remembers
playing tennis with Wilson, often playing doubles under the lights of
the intramural tennis courts. "Those are the kind of memories I remember;
I've known him for a long time," he said.
Melson said he and Wilson, along with three other
political science professors, all joined the department at the same
time.
"This year was our 30th anniversary together,"
said Melson. "We were going to have this party to celebrate it. I'm
sorry we're not going to have that party now."
Robert Bartlett, associate professor of political
science, remembers the ways Wilson led the department, treating everybody
with respect and always striving for excellence — as someone who
could be trusted with anything.
"When I went overseas I gave my house keys to Wilson,"
said Bartlett. "That says a lot. Who do I trust enough to give my checkbook
to, to give the key to my house to, to let them make the payments on
my bills? And I could think of a few people who I'd be willing to trust
to do that, let alone who would do that, but Wilson did."
A funeral service will be held for Wilson at 10:30
a.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West
Lafayette.
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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765)
743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
To
send a letter to the editor, please email campus@purdueexponent.org
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