In Memory: Richard Seebass (1936-2000)

Hundreds Gather to Praise, Remember Former Dean

This year, the college and campus communities mourned the passing of former engineering dean Richard Seebass, one of the university's most prominent leaders in engineering and space education. He died Nov. 14, after a short illness, at the age of 64.

A professor of aerospace engineering sciences who served as dean of the college from 1981 to 1994, Seebass will be remembered for his vision and leadership, which have had a lasting impact on the college. It was his vision for undergraduate educational reform that led to the building of the innovative and successful Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory.

As dean, Seebass led the college to a ten-fold increase in research revenues and a 65 percent growth in faculty, which brought in many new professors of national distinction. He also headed the successful Centennial Campaign, which resulted in private gifts of more than $52 million.

He continued his work as chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences from 1995 to 1999, where he led a complete reform of the undergraduate curriculum. He was a nationally and internationally renowned aerodynamicist, whose research earned him many prestigious awards.

"Dick Seebass has left an important and lasting legacy at the University of Colorado at Boulder for which we are all grateful," said Chancellor Richard L. Byyny.

More than 500 colleagues, students and friends attended a service held at the University Memorial Center, and the campus lowered its flag to half-staff in his memory.