Recalling absent friends Loomer, Nair

UW-Green Bay Chancellor Thomas K. Harden paused briefly during the May 15 Commencement ceremony to remember two long-time faculty members who passed away recently.

Harden noted the death one week earlier of Prof. Al Loomer, who had retired in 1983 at the age of 70 but never retired from being an active member of the UW-Green Bay community. Loomer marched in nearly every commencement ceremony including last May’s event, when he was acknowledged on stage for his long string of ceremonies and his continued participation, even (at the time) at age 96.

The Chancellor also noted the passing this spring of another “ageless” scholar, Prof. Ganga Nair, who retired only last year, and died in March at age 80. He described Nair as a world traveler,world-renowned scientist and world-class advocate for forest preservation.

“We extend our condolences to friends and family, of course,” Harden said, “But we also pay tribute by celebrating their lives and they way they lived them — every day to the fullest, every day in service to others.”