Longtime faculty member Richard Meisler died after complications of pancreatic cancer on Feb. 21, 2017.
During his 16 years in the Department of American Culture, Meisler developed a number of popular courses on topics including AIDS in America, poverty, immigration, mass incarceration, and writings by veterans who served in Iraq. He also served as undergraduate adviser in American Culture. He turned his AIDS and mass incarceration courses into Coursera offerings that have reached thousands of students around the globe.
Meisler taught in the Department of English Language and Literature from 1983-90 and made his coursework available to incarcerated individuals at the Huron Valley Women’s Facility.
He is remembered as a kind, insightful and generous colleague and teacher. His work will be recognized during the Collegiate Lectureship Award ceremony from 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Hussey Room of the Michigan League. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Richard Meisler Writing Award, Department of American Culture.
A more complete obituary is available on MLive.
— Submitted by Miriam Meisler
