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Publication: Daily Iowan
Publication Date: 11/6/01
Page and Section: 0

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By Sean Thompson

The Daily Iowan

A longtime UI professor and administrator, remembered best for leading the College of Law through a significant time in its history while personalizing law students' education, died Monday of pneumonia.

David Vernon was 76.

The man who wore red suspenders and red socks every day was dean of the law school for five years, assistant to four UI presidents, and even twice served as UI provost, all in a 35-year career. He was also the Allan D. Vestal Professor of Law.

"David was just such a giant at the university," said UI President Mary Sue Coleman. "This is a sad day for the university."

The father and grandfather had been scheduled to continue teaching in the law school this semester as a semi-retired professor, but his cancer worsened over the summer. After an ongoing struggle this fall, he died at UI Hospitals and Clinics.

During his 1966-71 tenure as the law-school dean, the Boston native saw the number of his faculty more than double, resulting in smaller class sizes. Vernon put an emphasis on students' research and writing and increased advanced courses and seminars, in what he called the "Graduate College approach."

"He was dean for five years, and it was an era of the greatest educational change in the law school's history," said Arthur E. Bonfield, the current associate law-school dean, who knew Vernon from the beginning of his career at the UI.

Current law-school Dean N. William Hines, who was on the committee that hired Vernon as dean, spoke highly of Vernon's commitment to the school.

"The Iowa law school provides a quite different and higher-quality legal education today because of Dave Vernon's leadership," said Hines, adding that Vernon was a great source of advice during his ongoing tenure.

Vernon wrote six books and 30 articles in his area of expertise, contracts and conflict of laws. In addition to his tireless work with the law school, Vernon served as provost, the UI's chief academic officer, from 1973-74 and again from 1988-89, and took on special assignments for four university presidents.

Vernon was well-known among staff and students for wearing red suspenders and socks every day to work. Even in his faculty photo, Vernon made sure the socks and suspenders were visible, exemplifying his sense of humor.

"He was a wonderful human being," said Willard Boyd, who served as UI president from 1969-81 and worked closely with Vernon. "He was a person of enormous integrity and was beloved by students and colleagues."

After graduating from Harvard University Law School in 1952, Vernon began his teaching career at New York University Law School. He continued teaching at the University of Houston and the University of Washington law schools before becoming associate dean at the University of Washington.

Memorial services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Agudas Achim Congregation Synagogue, 602 E. Washington Street. A law-school memorial will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the Levitt Auditorium of the Boyd Law Building.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Rhoda, a son, Charles, a daughter, Amy, and three grandchildren.

E-mail DI reporter Sean Thompson at:

sean-thompson@uiowa.edu
 

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