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College Laments Loss of Jack Padgett

Saturday, January 21, 2012

A memorial service will take place Sunday, February 12, 2:30 p.m., at Silver Maples in Chelsea. A Celebration of Life on the Albion campus is being planned for later this year.

By Jake Weber

Padgett with a Basic Ideas class, 1981Padgett with a Basic Ideas class, 1981Philosophy professor emeritus Jack Padgett passed away January 20 in Chelsea, Mich., at the age of 85, following a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Padgett came to Albion in 1965 to design and teach the innovative "Basic Ideas" program. "I deeply respected Jack's commitment to moral and ethical integrity, and to intellectual clarity. He was an outstanding teacher and colleague," recalled emeritus professor of religious studies Johan Stohl, who also taught Basic Ideas courses. "Jack focused us on ways of drawing our students—and ourselves—into thoughtful and vigorous discussions."

"Jack Padgett helped Albion crystallize ideas about teaching and learning which are still relevant to our mission and values," commented Albion College President Donna Randall. "Our reputation as a leader in liberal arts education has been established on the work of visionary professors like Jack."

Padgett extended his leadership skills to the philosophy department, which he chaired for 14 of the 25 years he spent on Albion's faculty. A demanding but popular professor, Padgett received Albion's Outstanding Teacher award in 1975. Padgett traveled to Sarajevo, in the former Yugoslavia, where he spent a semester at the University of Sarajevo as a Fulbright teaching fellow. In 1989 Albion College named him its Phi Beta Kappa Scholar of the Year.

"His direct, down-to-earth, unadorned manner cut straight to the heart of any issue and became the model I emulate," said Doug Johnson, '71, retired director of the State of Michigan Administrative Information Network. Johnson further noted that students were also grateful for Padgett's sense of humor while tackling sometimes controversial subjects. "He made it safe to experiment with 'the different thought' without fear of knee-jerk reaction or ridicule," Johnson stated.

Padgett (left) circa 2008, with Albion colleagues emeritus chemistry professor Jack Crump, emeritus religious studies professor Johan Stohl and emeritus economics and management professor Maurice Branch. All have been neighbors in Chelsea for several years, continuing a decades-long habit of meeting regularly for lunch.Padgett (left) circa 2008, with Albion colleagues emeritus chemistry professor Jack Crump, emeritus religious studies professor Johan Stohl and emeritus economics and management professor Maurice Branch. All have been neighbors in Chelsea for several years, continuing a decades-long habit of meeting regularly for lunch.Padgett authored The Concept of Personality in William Temple's Philosophy and The Christian Philosophy of William Temple, and regularly published research in ethics and moral philosophy. After introducing medical ethics and business ethics into Albion's curriculum, he was often called upon as a speaker on these relatively new areas. Shortly before his retirement, Padgett presented a paper on Personalism at the World Congress of Philosophy. He continued to lead seminars for adult learners as an emeritus professor, especially on issues related to death and dying.

In the early 1980s Padgett was appointed the first director of Albion's Center for the Study of Ethics. Padgett was instrumental in having the College's Observatory (then home of the Ethics Center) recognized as a Michigan Historic Landmark, a designation that was received during Albion's 150th anniversary celebrations in 1985.

Prior to joining Albion's faculty, Padgett spent six years as director of the Vital Center Program and philosophy professor at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. While there he supported the civil rights effort by joining a group delivering office supplies to the Freedom School in Indianola, Miss.

For many years, Padgett also chaired the ethics committee on the board for Hospice Care of Battle Creek. In retirement, he continued as a fan of University of Michigan and Albion College athletics.

As a teen, Padgett enlisted in the Marine Corps; he was a veteran of the Battle of Okinawa and received a Purple Heart. He graduated from Juniata College and earned a graduate degree from Boston University School of Theology and a doctorate in philosophy from Boston University.

Padgett is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Katharine ("Kitty"); children Deborah (Gary Nickel) of Plymouth, Wis.; Susan (Rick) White of Springfield, Vt.; Stephen of Seattle, Wash.; and Thomas of Sparks, Nev.; and grandchildren Katie and Grant White and Allie and Emma Padgett as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Padgett will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jack Padgett Award in Philosophy at Albion College or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Caring Bridge Web site for Jack Padgett: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackpadgett

Please share your memories of Jack Padgett below.

Comments  

 
#22 Charles Spice 75 2012-01-31 22:52
A wonderful person from whom I learned a lot.
May Jesus grant his family and friends peace.
He made the world a better place and will be missed.
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#21 Mike Harrington 85 2012-01-30 13:19
I am very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. He was a shining example of integrity, compassion and scholarship from my very first days on campus. He made a tremendous difference in my life. My condolences to Kitty and the Padgett family.
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#20 Mark Gross 84 2012-01-27 18:16
Like so many of the others who have commented here, Jack Padgett is the reason I switched my major to Philosophy after my first class with him (my parents were NOT pleased). I think it was so easy for Jack to be a great teacher simply because he was such a kind man who cared deeply about his students, not just his craft. As my advisor, he shaped my "Albion Experience," as my professor, he helped define my personal philosophy, and as my confidant, he sharpened my moral compass and made me a better person. My deepest condolences to Kitty and the rest of Jack's family. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us.
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#19 Jeanne Moss Snapp 2012-01-26 19:26
Dr. Padgett's first semester at Albion College was also mine as a freshman in 1965. That Basic Ideas class was a fabulous launch into the stimulation and stretching of a college experience. I agree with others that he was my best college teacher both at Albion and at the University of Michigan, where I transferred as a junior. I still remember him fondly. How lucky we all had him in our lives, even shortly.
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#18 Hank Cuthbertson 72 2012-01-26 18:37
Jack Padgett was the best teacher I ever had. He challenged me to think clearly and express my ideas articulately. He opened himself up to his students. He let us know him and why he was there. He taught me the meaning of and the importance of commitment and he let me know that he believed in me.
Of the classes I took with him “Being and Becoming” was my favorite. Kitty taught it with him which made it very special. In it we combined experiential learning with traditional academics.
I will always carry what Jack gave me deep inside and treasure his memory.
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#17 Barbara Birks 2012-01-26 17:58
I postponed fulfilling my philosophy requirement until my senior year because, frankly, philosophy sounded boring and hard. With much trepidation, I signed up for Dr. Padgett's Ethics class. The first day of class, who walked in? A philosophy professor straight out of central casting. Beard (no moustache), smoking a pipe, and carrying a loaded briefcase. The class looked bleak. Then he started to talk and he flashed that great smile at us a few times. My thoughts went from "Uh oh" to "This might be interesting". While the writings of Immanuel Kant will never be on my bedside table (sorry, Jack), the principles I learned in that class have been with me my whole life. I guess that was the point. Thanks.
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#16 Tom Long 2012-01-26 17:08
A highly respected professor among both students and faculty for decades at Albion. In his passing we have lost much.

Tom Long
Class of 1968
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#15 Greg McCoy 2012-01-26 17:02
I had Jack for an Ethics class and I thought he was of the best professors I ever had. The discussions were extremely lively and very interesting. Though it was a shortended course, since it was part of the Professional Management summer school curriculum, I probably remember more about that class and Jack then almost all of my other classes. He was a great guy.
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#14 Nancy Browne 81 2012-01-26 15:49
Of all my Albion classes, Jack's ethics class is one that still resonates, still has me ask hard questions, thinkabout imperatives, look for the larger framework. He inspired, pushed, and backed-off when needed. One of my best professors ever, in any discipline. My deep sympathies to his family and to all the students who will not have the benefit of his particular wisdom and compassion.
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#13 Missy Tuck 1987 2012-01-26 14:45
I saw the Padgetts last Fall at UM. We reiminsced about our Albion days and he remebered both Chris (honor's program) and me (biomedical Ethics course). His class sparked a life-long in biomedical ethics for me, including employment and service on the UM institutional review board. Thanks Dr. Padgett! Glad we had a little time last fall. You'll be missed.
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