Messages from Colleagues and Friends:  If you have a memory, photograph or story about Tom Dunfee that you would like to share, please send them to

Lauretta Tomasco

Tom and I lived down the street from each other in Huntington, West Virginia. We would walk to and from high school with his mother. His mother was a teacher at Huntington High and his dad was a teacher at Huntington East. My dad was gone a lot so I spent a good bit of time with Tom and his family. I was shocked to read about his passing. I only wish I had the opportunity to have been around Tom as many of you had. I always knew Tom would do great things. I can still see Tom working on the neighborhood newspaper from his home on 13th Avenue in Huntington. We would sell them around the neighborhood. Needless to say, we did not make much money.

George Grove

I first met Tom in 1977 when he agreed to join the Committee for Education in Business Ethics sponsored by the American Philosophical Association and supported by a grant for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since I was at the U of Delaware at that time, it was easy for Tom and me to collaborate. I was a frequent guest in his Wharton classes, we wrote an article together, and teamed up for a number of conference presentations. And we had fun. I still remember the wild ride in Italy as I tried to master driving in that country. I was honored that he accepted my invitation to join me in the Great Conversations Series at the University of Minnesota in 2003. Often Maureen and Dottie would join Tom and me on one of our outings. We were colleagues and friends. I miss Tom greatly, but I valued our friendship and have many wonderful memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Norman Bowie

I was not among the first to express my grief over losing Tom. I was so shaken by the unexpected bad news that I could not mobilize my thoughts to write coherently. Meanwhile, I was glad to see that many colleagues eloquently recorded their affection and esteem for Tom. I echo their tributes to his energy, his academic distinction, his many professional accomplishments, his contributions to Wharton, and his warm collegiality. At this point I can only add a few personal comments.

In more than three decades of working with Tom, my appreciation of his stellar qualities and his contributions to our department kept growing. Tom was at the heart of our team and continued to be an indefatigable leader, whether sitting behind the chair’s desk or in the intervals when he dedicated himself to serving the department in other ways. He also had a terrific sense of humor; we would often wind up howling with laughter at some turn of events that tickled our funny bones. I am deeply indebted to him for his kindness and sympathy when I had to deal with the sudden death of my father and the serious illness of my mother. Tom could not have been more generous and understanding if he had been a member of my own family.

Tom, old friend, I miss you. The door of your office is now closed when I pass by. When I tell others in the department how sad this makes me feel, they say that they have the same reaction. We are bereft, but we realize that we were fortunate to know you.

Ann Elizabeth Mayer

I knew Tom for 29 years. He was my best friend, and I could never hope to have a better friend. Yes he was a great teacher; and yes he was a great scholar; and yes he was a great administrator. But these are irrelevant. He was a great and genuine person. In fact, he was the most decent person I have ever known.

We shared many laughs and stories over the years. But more importantly, we shared a deep and abiding respect for goodness and decency. I was blessed to have known him. I miss him terribly. I miss his laugh. I miss his counsel. I miss his generous spirit. I mourn his loss, but know that I am a much better person for having known him. The world is a better place for his having been here.

None of this makes his absence easier to bear. But he knew I loved him; and I knew he loved me. In the end, that is enough to carry me forward with a smile on my face. 

Dr Peter Linneman 

 

I loved Tom Dunfee. He was one of my absolutely all-time favorite persons, if not at the top of the list. Tom was kind, caring, thoughtful, funny, intelligent, giving, and loving. He was a sparkling human being. From our days at Ohio State together, we formed a kinship that remained fully intact, even though we eventually were many miles apart geographically. I always took great pleasure in ribbing him about his e-mail address (dunfeet, as in pigsfeet?) or about his position as dean of vice at the Wharton School (reminding him to keep his hands to himself). Whenever we got together (even if the occasion were deadly serious), Tom and I would start giggling (just like little schoolchildren) for no apparent reason, having to separate ourselves for considerable periods of time until we returned to our senses (if we ever did). Tom was a wonderful co-author (we did a number of law review papers together on antitrust issues), always fun to work with and always a marvelous contributor to the subject matter at hand. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. I know it sounds somewhat trite to say (because it’s been said before about others), but God doesn’t make many people like Tom Dunfee. I’m so pleased that He/She did, because Tom infinitely enriched my life and so many others. I am going to miss him terribly. 

Lou Stern 

  

To the family of Professor Thomas Dunfee, My wife and I were very sorry to hear of your great loss. We worked with Tom for many years in connection with an ethics program which we sponsored at Wharton, and which he was instrumental in carrying out and moving forward. At first the program offered prizes to Wharton undergraduates for submitting outstanding essays on a subject in business ethics. After many years, I believe at Tom's suggestion, the program was modified to become a lecture series given by scholars and others who had done important work in the field of business ethics. The lectures were open to all, not merely Wharton students. Over the years, we always found Tom to be creative, practical, a gentleman and a real pleasure to deal with in many ways. We are sure you will miss him greatly. He left a strong and positive legacy to everyone he dealt with, including us.

Sincerely, Joel and Lois Coleman

   

For over a year, Prof. Thomas Dunfee was my research mentor in the Wharton Research Scholars Program. Aside from being one of the leading ethicist in the business field, he was also an incredibly supportive mentor who helped me tremendously with my research in the field of business policy and corporate social responsibility. Thanks to his commitment to nurturing future academics, I was able to engage in a significant research project that greatly enriched my university experience. His class on Corporate Ethics was also one of the academic highlights of my life at the Wharton School. I am grateful to him for his support, kindness, and generosity. In addition to being a great mentor, Prof. Thomas Dunfee was also a loving family man, and I remember how every visit to his office would lead to a conversation on what his children are doing.  

- Geoffrey (Kok Heng) See 

It is with great sadness that I learned of Tom Dunfee's passing. I first met him when I took his International Business Ethics class as a sophomore and continued to look to him for advice. Tom was one of the best teachers I have had and continues to be a great example for me as I continue in my academic career. I remember fondly his warmth and great sense of humor. He was quick with a kind word of encouragement and his passion for teaching was an inspiration to his students. I will remember Tom as a warm, compassionate person and as a great teacher who cared very much for his students.

My condolences go to his family and his friends. May they find some small measure of solace in knowing that Tom so touched the lives of many of his students and will be remembered by them.

Tim Ganser
Class of 2005

 

Tom was a fraternity brother in the West Virginia Alpha Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Marshall University. Although a quiet person in his college undergraduate years, his sense of humor was contagious to all who knew him. I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Tom and a few other SAEs one spring break when we invaded Daytona Beach Florida.  In 1984 he was names a Distinguished Alumnus of Marshall University, the highest honor the MU Alumni Association bestows.  The last time I saw Tom was in 1999 (I was then the assistant vice president for alumni relations at Marshall) when we honored all past distinguished alumnus. Yet, my best and fondest memories of Tom were when we were students and fraternity brothers. All SAEs who knew Tom will be saddened to hear of his death.

Phi Alpha, Tom, we will see you again in Chapter Eternal. 

Sam Stanley 

 

I am saddened to hear of Tom’s death. I knew him best from the ethics and legal studies seminars, where we will miss his kind, gentle, and wise questions and commentary. My condolences to his family.

Adrian E. Tschoegl

 

I took Business Law with Professor Dunfee in the fall of '86.  For a class presentation, he allowed me to dress up as Art Fern (a Johnny Carson creation with greasy black hair, thin mustache and lime colored jacket, performed with a reedy voice) and present a case study on property law.  After watching me wing it as a mock-Fern, the class was too befuddled to even react when I finished.  Their befuddlement seemed to fall between, “What the hell was that?" or "Is that allowed in class?"  But Tom Dunfee smiled the whole way through, and then applauded my efforts so vigorously that the rest of the class finally joined in. 

He was supposed to be our faculty guest star in the '87 Follies but a family illness kept him away.  He expressed sincere regret, and though we loved working with Bill Zucker, we missed Tom Dunfee's congenial wit and enthusiasm. 

Truly -- he was a generous teacher. 

Rob Friedman

WG '87

  

It was with great sadness I learned of the passing of Tom.  He and I were good friends throughout high school and I have many fond memories of those times with Tom.  He will be sadly missed by all that knew him. 

Dick Erdmann

It is with regret that we received the sad news about the passing of Professor Thomas W. Dunfee and we would like to express our sorrow for such a loss.  

We were greatly surprised and saddened to hear the news. We all acknowledge Professor Dunfee’s valuable contribution in the field of Social Responsibility in Business. He was and will continue to be a referent for all of us, specially his peers at ESADE. Thomas Dunfee will also be remembered as the friendly, committed and dedicated person he was. 

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the Wharton Community and with his family during this difficult time. 

With our deepest sympathies,

Carlos Losada                                      Alfons Sauquet

Director General                                   Dean, ESADE Business School 

 

I am truly stunned by Tom's tragic and untimely death.  He was a wonderful human being, colleague, and friend.  We will all miss him. 

Ed Bergman 

I just want to share something with you that I recall so vividly, and have shared with so many people over the years. 

I had Prof. Dunfee for an antitrust class as a Wharton junior undergrad, fall 1982.  Our mid-term exam covered 32 different antitrust cases, and we were responsible to know the details of every case -- facts, law, opinions, etc.  There were about 8 of us in the class, very intimate, and very interesting.  To say that I studied my tail off was an understatement; preparing for that one exam made me feel like I had just completed law school.  Our class performed well on the exam, and according to Prof. Dunfee on par with his Wharton Grad class that also took the same test. 

Two months later as we were preparing for the final exam, and another 30 plus cases, Prof. Dunfee reminded us that the final exam would be in the same format as the mid-term: OPEN BOOK AND OPEN NOTE.  Well, were we all ever in shock!  He had never mentioned to us that the mid-term was OPEN BOOK and OPEN NOTE, and so we prepared for and took a closed book test.  He was absolutely shocked that we took that mid-term without notes or books, and we were absolutely shocked that he didn't notice that none of us used our notes or books during the test, as he was in the room and it was a very small class.  Of course, preparing for the final was a breeze, just organizing our notes. 

I'm pretty sure he never forgot about our class and this particular mid-term exam, and I know I have recounted this so many times over the years to so many people.  My own young kids ask me to tell them the story a couple of times a year.  It's become somewhat inspirational for our family! 

In hindsight, a fond memory, although while studying for the mid-term, not so fond. 

You are right, the community will miss him.  But the memories will last forever. 

Regards,

Gail Silverman 

 

I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Dunfee. Thank you for letting me know. Tom was an outstanding scholar and teacher, and a fine person. A few years ago I had the pleasure of enjoying his company at a dinner with Peter Linneman, followed by a Penn basketball game. Tom and Peter had season tickets for many years. I will write a letter of condolence to his family. 

Steven A. Heller 

Dearest friends,  

I share below the most solemn part of my role as a communicator on the listserv for SBE: the passing of a colleague.  I just moments ago received via ALSB-news a notification from the Dean at the Wharton School of the passing of our colleague, past-president of SBE, my friend and someone I have been honored to consider my mentor, Professor Tom Dunfee.  I am sharing it with you all immediately, because I know so many of you will want to know the information as it appears below.  It is all I know.  I am sure that our executive committee will seek to share more as they learn, since he has been a friend to many of us, as well as someone instrumental to SBE over the years.  I am struck at the moment, so I will simply forward along the below communication. 

With warmest regards,

Laura Hartman 

Thank you Eric for your wonderful and touching tribute to Tom.  I suspect it is hard for all of us to know what to say or do at this emotionally difficult time, but you managed to capture how undoubtedly many of us feel, and for that I am very grateful.  Tom was clearly a giant in our field academically and administratively, but also a living example of what our field stands for ---integrity , sincerity , and caring in human relationships and interactions.  I know all of us join Tom’s colleagues at Wharton in grieving his untimely death.

W. Michael Hoffman, PhD.

 

From Eric W. Orts

In addition to his leadership of business law and ethics associations nationally and globally, Tom Dunfee was the heart of the Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  At his last formal appearance presiding at our Department dinner in May, Tom recalled how he had served as the Department’s chair at various times in each of the last four decades.  In 1976, when Tom first joined Wharton’s faculty as a visiting associate professor, he was one of only seven standing departmental faculty (all lawyers).  At the end of his last term as chair in 2008, our Department had grown to eighteen standing faculty with at least a dozen more affiliated, adjunct, and visiting faculty (now including in our ranks philosophers and other business ethicists).  Much of this growth owes directly to Tom’s leadership.  And most of us remaining in his Department here at Wharton owe our careers to Tom Dunfee.  More importantly, we will remember and cherish his wise and humane influence on our lives along personal as well as professional dimensions.  It has been very sad to say goodbye to him forever, and many of us at Wharton are still in a state of shock at the abruptness of this loss – hence our delayed reactions in the realm of e-mail posts. 

Tom was an institution-builder, and one of the best ways that we can remember his strong and loving influence will be to carry on his example, as best we can.  He believed passionately in the importance of teaching law and ethics in business schools – a tradition reaching back to the founding of the Wharton School.  On the cover of a book reviewing Wharton’s history (Steven L. Sass, The Pragmatic Imagination:  A History of the Wharton School, 1881-1981), Tom Dunfee’s youthful picture appears at the base of a pyramid of other leading Wharton teachers and scholars.  It was more appropriate than the cover-artist could have known, because Tom Dunfee continued to build a strong foundation here at Wharton which he has left as one of his greatest gifts.  He was a wonderful mentor, teacher, researcher, administrator, colleague, and friend.  One of the best ways for us to honor his life and memory will be to roll up our sleeves and get back to work – and to try to approximate his personal and professional excellence, however short we will fall of the standards that he has set. 

The world is a little poorer and worse with the loss of Tom Dunfee, and yet the imprint of his life has left it a great deal richer and better.  For those of us who will remember his legacy and example – and who may attempt to follow in some of his very large (though, if you knew him at the beach, irregular) footsteps – his memory will inspire us to work a little harder, dig a little deeper, and believe in ourselves a little more strongly – in order to encourage business institutions and their leaders to make the world a morally better as well as a wealthier place.  We sometimes joke at Wharton that we should have renamed ourselves the “Normative Studies Department,” and Tom appreciated as well as anyone the essential importance of both law and ethics in business education and scholarship.  He knew that without the civilizing normative influences of law and ethics, business can be tempted toward the dark side.  We have lost one of the best and most well-loved knights who dedicated his life to fighting in the normative struggles of contemporary civilization.  Let those of us who have been fortunate enough to have been influenced by his example pick up from where he has fallen and find the courage and strength to recommit ourselves to advancing our respective visions of business law and business ethics.  It is what Tom would have wanted us to do. 

If you have a memory, photograph or story about Tom that you would like to share, please send them to Lauretta Tomasco - tomascol@wharton.upenn.edu, and she will post them on our webpage. 

Eric W. Orts

Guardsmark Professor

Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department

The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania  

I was very sad to hear the death of Prof. Dunfee. I met him in Michigan Business School in May 2000 when I was a visiting scholar of UMICH. I was invited by him to make a presentation to his class while he was a visiting professor there. Tom was a very nice person. 

Although I'm in Beijing China, I'd like to send my condolences to his wife and his family members. 'll remember Tom forever, he will be alive in our heart forever! 

Prof.& PHD., Liu Junhai 

 

Please extend my condolences to the entire legal studies & business ethics department. Tom was a true mentor to so many of us. I will miss him dearly. 

Joshua Margolis 

 

I can't say how devastating this is.  As you know, Tom and I had a nice lunch together a few weeks ago, for which I now count my blessings.  He seemed fine; his usual congenial self. 

I'm just back from being on the road, so I won't be able to make it to the funeral.  My thoughts and prayers will be with Dottie, the kids, grandkids, and mostly Tom.  Speaking selfishly, what a tremendous loss!   

I doubt I've met a finer, more supportive person in all my years.  I will truly miss him. 

Bruce Johnsen 

 

There has been a tremendous outpouring of sadness about our loss and wonderful stories of remembrances about Tom on the Academy of Legal Studies in Business listserv.  We're all so sad and heavy hearted.  

Cindy A. Schipani 

 

I am writing from South Africa. Could you please convey my sincere condolences on behalf of the International Society of Business, Economic, and Ethics (ISBEE) to Tom's family. We are saddened by his untimely death. We were still looking forward to his contribution to the Fourth ISBEE World Congress that will be held in Cape Town in July this year. Tom was a loyal and active member of the Executive Committee of ISBEE at the time of his death. We will miss him very much. 

Kind regards,

Deon Rossouw 

 

Prof Dunfee was a seminal influence on me during my time at Wharton, since I spent almost a year and a whole summer being his research assistant. 

-Michael Chen 

 

Professor Bellace forwarded me a message from the Legal Studies department, and I was completely shocked. The news saddened me beyond words.  

Just two weeks ago, I was corresponding with Professor Dunfee through e-mail and spoke to him on Locust Walk. He was my favorite professor at Penn and my best mentor. I learned so much through his classes and my work as his RA and truly appreciated all the time he spent to support me.  

Sincerely,

Joyce Meng 

 

Thank you for informing me.  Tom was my friend and the chair of Legal Studies when I was at Wharton from 1975-1982.   I regret that I will not be able to attend his services.  He was a good man, a great friend, a scholar and a fabulous teacher.  Tom will be missed. 

Sincerely,

Chris Day  

 

Thank you for passing this information on to me. What unexpected and sad news. I had only communicated with Professor Dunfee last month about an incomplete I was working on for him. It is so very upsetting and I cannot stop thinking about it and very precious and fragile life is. He was such a good man & I remember my being in his class and giving a presentation on the ethics of reproductive technology as if it were yesterday. I am so very sorry for the loss to UPenn and more importantly to his family and loved ones. I have signed their online guest book with the Daily News. Again, I'm so very sorry. Please take care. 

Sincerely,

Luz Loeb 

 

This is so sad but I still cannot believe or accept it.  Tom was a mentor and friend to so many of us.  We will all miss him….  

Lynn Paine 

 

What tragic news. I have known Tom for more than 30 years and I always regarded him as a central figure in csr and business ethics. He will be sorely missed.

David Vogel 

 

He was a wonderful gentleman and friend, and I will miss him greatly.  My condolences to you and your colleagues. 

 Jim Mitchell 

 

Please accept my condolences and pass them on to your colleagues and the Dunfees. Thank you for passing this on.  

Yours,

Andy Wicks 

 

I was so saddened to hear of Tom's death.  I did not even know that he was ill.  He'll be greatly missed. 

With Sympathy,

David Cohen 

 

I was saddened to hear of Prof Dunfee's passing.  He was one of my favorite professors, who showed a great deal of kindness towards his students.  I hope that the school does something to honor his many years of service as a professor and an administrator. 

Best,

Rana Yared 

 

I just got the news that Tom passed away. I have such good memories of our work together, many years ago. This is a real loss for Wharton and his discipline. 

Best regards, 

Frank Bostyn 

 

This came as a profound shock.  I was travelling overseas till yesterday evening and heard the awful news from Paula Greenberg the day before.  I had no idea Tom was suffering from cancer.  I had an email exchange with him on a couple of weeks ago.  He was the gentlest, nicest soul I knew and I am without words at this loss. 

Anjani Jain 

 

I am so very sorry to hear this.  He was a true gentleman and so kind to everyone!  Please let me know what I can do to help when they have something for him at Wharton.   

Joanne Spigonardo 

 

Tom was a valued friend from my school days.  We first met 55 years ago and have kept in casual touch over the years. 

Like you, I am saddened by his death but am grateful that you informed me.

Bob Thabet 

 

This must be a terrible shock for all of you!

My deepest sympathy to you all. 

Linda Treviņo 

 

I remember well Prof. Dunfee's appearance at the 2007 Wharton Economic Summit last year in April, when he moderated a very visionary debate about executive compensation. 

Please convey my sincere condolences to Professor Dunfee's family. 

Best regards,

Francois Balsan, W'81 

 

I had the honor of being a guest lecturer in Tom’s business ethics classes over the past 11 years.  I always loved the way Tom would involve his students and extend his hospitality for them to have lunch with us afterwards.  It left a lasting impression on me – a teacher who cared enough to introduce his students to a wide range of experts in an informal venue where they could comfortably exchange ideas.  One student asked me over our lunch last April what he could do to get a start in his profession.  I pointed over to Tom and said “Be sure to keep in touch with him!”  Tom’s passing is a loss to so many…   

My fondest memory of Tom was when he and Dottie joined us for Dim Sum (Chinese pastries) in Virginia with the grandkids.  I had been hearing about the grandkids for years, enjoying their photos and here they were in person!  The grandkids met my kids.  I finally met Dottie.  Everyone enjoyed good food, good talk and the joys of being with young children.  I had so much looked forward to seeing Tom and his family on a more regular basis after he retired locally.  He had so many plans and ideas.  I will truly miss his genial, cheerful and giving presence. 

Kris Day 

 

I have two very vivid memories of Tom.  The first is from the time in the early 1980s when I was an assistant professor of management at Wharton.  Tom had just gotten the first Wharton chair in corporate responsibility. He came down to my office to ask me what I thought about CSR and how it connected to my own work on stakeholder theory which was in a very tentative stage.  The fact that a senior professor cared enough to ask me about what I was doing and actually encouraged me, well, I can't begin to say how important that was.  Over many years I learned that Tom was always trying to learn and encourage others.  The second memory is the last time I saw him in October 2007.  I was giving a presentation to his doctoral program, and after a great day with Tom and the students, I was headed to the airport.  Tom asked me when my plane left, and I told him it was a late night flight, but not to worry, I had lots of work I could do at the airport.  He insisted that we have dinner together and that he would drive me to the airport.  He called Dotty and checked to be sure this was OK from a family point of view, then we had a delightful dinner.  He talked about retirement, and what he wanted to do.  We spent a long time talking about institution building and what we had done and not done.  He challenged me to think through not only what I wanted to do with my remaining years, but why I wanted to do it.  This conversation had a big impact on how I've begun to think about my academic life.  And, I left wanting to have another conversation with Tom.  Little did I know that it would not be possible.  Tom was an institution builder par excellance, but more importantly, he was a good friend.  I will miss him a great deal. 

R. Edward Freeman 

 

I just completed my final exams at Cambridge University and had thought of writing a thank you note to Professor Dunfee. However, I read about his departure in the email from Dean Robertson. I am deeply shocked and saddened. 

I am sure that he will be dearly missed. My prayers are for his family during this time of grieving. Please send my regards to his family.

Thank you. 

Regards,

Joshua Chu 

 

I was fortunate enough to work for Prof. Dunfee as a sophomore at Penn in 1998 as part of the student-loan program. I still remember being in awe as I glanced at his prodigious body of work while filing articles and newsletters in the Steiny-D office. I'm very saddened to receive this news; Prof Dunfee will be missed by everyone who had the good opportunity to be in his orbit. 

Regards,

Josh Nguyen 

 

I'm writing from Brisbane, Australia, where I've had to ingest the untimely news about Tom Dunfee. Tom had a questing intelligence and a warm spirit and for forty years was quite simply the finest exemplar the ALSB  had to offer. He helped me and countless others both professionally and personally. I especially remember how Tom, a chaired Wharton professor, spent time with my 18-year old son when Adam was interviewing at the University of Pensylvania, taking him to see a Phillies game as well as advising him about the interview process. Tom was not only a great man, he was a good man as well. He lives still in the hearts of those who know him. 

Lee Reed 

 

Tom will be remembered not only for his outstanding academic contribution to the field of Business Ethics, but also for what he has done through ISBEE and other institutions to promote business ethics across the globe. 

Regards,

 Deon Rossouw 

 

Tom Dunfee was a model academic, a prolific interdisciplinary co-author and a scholarly role model for many in the ALSB. For example, one of his two Northwestern Univ. L. Rev. articles, the 1985 piece on bounding markets (co-authored with Louis W. Stern (Kellogg) and Frederick D. Sturdivant (Ohio State)) guided me in interdisciplinary work, remains influential in my antitrust instruction and still informs my standardization research. 

Tom Dunfee regularly visited regional business law conferences, e.g., Midwest, Tri-State, Mid-Atlantic, providing leadership and mentorship to aspiring scholars. Poignantly for me, I first recall receiving Tom’s direct mentoring at the 1983 Tri-State meeting (Notre Dame) at which I gave Hal Grilliot’s eulogy. Tom and other Wharton Legal Studies faculty like Fred Kempin were enormously inspiring. While we lament Tom’s untimely passing, let us continue celebrating his influence. 

John W. Bagby 

 

Friends,

I am stunned. Tom exemplified the best in all of us – an extraordinary scholar, teacher, colleague, and mentor. We are all diminished by his loss. Godspeed to a kind and gentle soul. We honor his memory by trying to be more like him. 

Connie Bagley 

 

To all Friends and Acquaintances of Tom Dunfee: 

If you are like me, you recognize that Tom was more than just a "giant" in our field, he was the "Lion of the ALSB Pack."   How does one replace such a linchpin member?  The answer is clear, we don't.  What we have, though, are all the wonderful memories which will be told and re-told at all of the ALSB meetings to come.  And, yes, it is incumbent upon those who knew him well to make certain that his spirit never dies nor that his memory ever fades.   Even though I only had a passing relationship with Tom cemented when he asked me to participate as a member of an ALSB Research Committee chaired by Jordan Liebman, I can attest to the fact that he touched even those with whom he had just a brief contact in a very special way - a point comparable to that personal recollection by Tim Fort in describing Tom's "silent but so effective management style."  I anticipate that Tim and Steve will "tip" one at Long Beach in memory of the "Lion," as will many others.  We shall all miss him tremendously! 

Jack Karns 

 

I too am deeply saddened by Tom's untimely death.  Like many of you, he welcomed me into the Academy when I was very young and green.  He provided guidance and critique and piqued my interest in business ethics.  While I remember him commenting on several papers, the conversation I remember best had nothing to do with research or teaching but rather the tradition he and his son were sharing where they were attempting to watch a major league baseball game together in every U.S. baseball park. It gave me perspective on balancing the professional and the personal and I hope they achieved their goal or had a great time trying.  My last conversation with Tom was a couple of years ago when I visited Wharton.  As usual he was generous with his time and with his advice.  I am very grateful to have known him.   

Caryn L. Beck-Dudley 

 

I was very sorry to hear about Tom. He was a wonderful person, a leader in his field and an incredible source of wisdom for me when we worked together on ISB matters.  He was also a joy to work with - thoughtful without being dogmatic, cheerful, always insightful.  I also enjoyed my guest teaching in his classes.  It was clear, both during class in the smaller follow-on sessions how much his students both liked and respected him.  It was a pleasure to know and work with him.  He will be missed.  

My heart goes out to you and to his family.  Thank you for letting me know this very sad news.  

Art Siegel 

 

Tom was one of those people that makes you think "I'd like to be more like him one day" - I only got to know him once in Philly in the summer of 2006 in a break-out workshop of an Ethical Corporation conference, and only corresponded by e-mail a few times - but what an impression he made.  Tim Fort mentioned a knowing smile.  The other big impressions were how he got the group thinking and contributed wise points so convincingly in such an understated way. 

Glad it's not out-of-line to be sending these.  Hope it's okay a newby sent one.  I really wanted to share what an impact Tom had.  PS: Tom passed on an idea for a great assignment for students: having students grade a CSR report of a company of their choice.  I think our last brief exchange was catching-up about that.  It gets good conversations going in class. 

Best regards,

Adam Sulkowski 

 

I, too, first met Tom in the early 1970's, and from the first moment found him, as others have attested, to be a most warm, gracious, and generous colleague and friend, with an equally warm and wonderful family.  Rosa and I well remember the ride from Cherry Hill to New York in Tom's old clunker on our collective way to the 1978(?) business law conference in London. Jokes were told. Insults were launched. Dottie was peace-maker. We had a ball. Can't believe he's gone.  

Yours,

David Reitzel 

 

I first met Tom when I began teaching 33 years ago at Tom's alma mater, Marshall University.  Tom was a guest speaker at Marshall and I was immediately impressed by his dedication to teaching ethics and corporate responsibility to business students.  This came at a time when most of us were teaching contracts and UCC and he helped me look at things much differently.  Since moving to Rider in 1979 Tom provided me with assistance in many areas......evaluating a program, creating a course, or hiring a new faculty member. Tom has served as a mentor and role model for me and many others in our profession.  I am deeply saddened by his passing.  He will be missed by all.   

Ira Sprotzer 

 

We truly have lost a great colleague and friend in Tom. I can only echo Bruce's comments, and Jim's. Tom was one of the most approachable, learned, and wise people, even among the otherwise exceptionally wonderful group of people that we call our association. 

Tom did a great deal to encourage many of us to think about not only law, but ethics; back in the early 90s he helped build ALSB ties with the Society for Business Ethics, and was instrumental in promoting law and ethics in one of the top tier of business schools. 

And again, as Jim said so well, let us honor and celebrate one another while we are here. 

Don Mayer 

 

I think many of us are not writing as we are simply so shocked and saddened we don't quite know what to add. Tom was always the most gracious of colleagues, mentors, hosts. Extraordinarily generous with his time and advice. I suspect half of the ALSB and SBE have asked him if he would be referee and he always agreed. He was one of the first people I would turn to for information/counsel -- as recently as a week or two ago. Just very, very sad and undoubtedly so much more so for his family and close friends and colleagues. 

Sally Gunz 

 

This one is very hard.  I first came to know Tom in 1973, one year after I had started at the University of Texas.  This was shortly before his move from Ohio State to Wharton.  We first spoke about a new paperback book on government regulation that he and Frank Gibson were publishing, and I ultimately adopted it.  At the time, Tom and I both shared a deep interest in antitrust law.  I got to know him better when I began working on the ABLJ in 1974. 

Tom, a highly intelligent and accomplished scholar and teacher, was the epitome of graciousness.  His sense of humor was wonderful. I was always proud to call him a colleague and friend.  I can’t believe he’s gone. 

John Allison 

 

This really is sad news.

 I first met Tom in Chicago at a 1972 ABLA (then) annual meeting.  We had both written an article in the ABLJ on the Continental Vending case and discussed the case at length.  At the time I thought he was an extremely capable person.  Later, as his publication record grew and grew, I realized that my first impressions were correct.  In addition to being a fine scholar, Tom was a very genial, approachable person that one could go to as a sounding board.  Over the years we became good friends. 

I frankly, still cannot and do not want to believe the email that brings this sad news. 

All the best to Dottie and Tom’s family.

Bruce Fisher 

 

This is a profoundly sad notice of a giant’s passing. It is so hard to believe. Tom was an incredibly talented colleague who honored us with his work. My prayers go out to Dottie and the family. It also makes me realize how important it is to honor the people who have been so giving of themselves to the ALSB/ABLA and to our profession over the years...while they are here.  

Jim Highsmith 

 

When I read Dan's message yesterday morning, I was working on a new EMBA business ethics module that includes materials suggested by Tom.  Several weeks ago I had asked him for assistance in developing the module and, as was typical of Tom, he responded immediately with many useful suggestions and materials, along with names of ALSB colleagues whom he recommended as contacts.  Tom was a giant in our profession and a warm human being.  He will be missed! 

George Siedel 

 

Yesterday we were shocked by the unexpected news about the death of Tom Dunfee. 

We would like only to say that today, during our International Workshop on the “Collaborative Enterprise”, we, Laszlo Zsolnai and all the participants, including Alan Strudler, have observed a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of Tom.

He was a so kind and gentle friend and a wonderful colleague. We miss him.  

Yours,

Francesco and Antonio 

 

This is Nikolai Rogovsky from the ILO, Geneva.  I am absolutely shocked by the news.  Tom was my mentor and friend!  A lot of people here, at the ILO, will always remember him...  

Nikolai Rogovsky, Ph.D. 

 

I am sure with the news of Tom Dunfee's passing that you and others in LGST are grieving and feeling the loss nearly as much as his own family. His professional stature notwithstanding, he was gentle and generous, and he spoke with warmth and admiration for his family, for his fellow faculty and staff, and for his students.           

From where I sit, I send my warm wishes to all of you as face this loss head on, day to day. As you were fortunate to work with him, he was also fortunate to work with you. 

With wishes for much strength and peace,

Christopher Michaelson 

 

This is really sad and it hurts, Tom was a really good guy

Bud Hughes 

 

All I can say is that I am absolutely speechless. Tom was not just a great instructor but an amazing mentor and friend, and words can honestly do no justice for him. As you can imagine, I am deeply shocked by the news. 

Regards,

Vikram Madan 

 

I am so sorry to hear about Tom. He was a great friend and mentor to me and many others.  

Sincerely, 

Chris O'Brien 

 

When I first started at Michigan 14 years ago, one of the first things George Siedel told me was that he hoped I would get to know Tom Dunfee really well.  As was Tom's nature, he made that an easy task by immediately taking me to lunch during my first ALSB conference. At age 49, I can no longer say who I want to be like when I grow up, but Tom was one of those people who, to this day, I want to be like. 

Some of you may know that Tom was finishing up his active career at Wharton this Spring and planned to move to Washington where all his children and grandchildren live.  While his passing saddens me, I really grieve over the fact that his opportunity to dote over his family won't happen, not so much for Tom's sake, but for his family's benefit.  As part of his plans, he and I worked out an arrangement where he would become the first Senior Scholar of my Institute for Corporate Responsibility here at GW.  He formally accepted the offer last Thursday.  We had talked for months about what he would do.  He had a lot left to give to the field and he was very excited. 

I know that we are all stunned, but as several have pointed out, let's also remember Tom's humor.  And so, one of my favorite memories of Tom was at a conference at Cornell.  There was a reception after the day's presentations.  Tom took the socialness of receptions to be an important part of what one does as a person and as a scholar. Well, Steve Salbu and I wanted to talk and it was too noisy, so we decided to duck out fairly early on.  Just as we were about to walk out the door, we ran, literally, into Tom.  He just smiled that knowing smile and Steve and I felt like we were two teenagers who had been caught red-handed by Dad trying to sneak out of the house.  Needless to say, we returned to the reception! 

Timothy L. Fort 

 

I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's passing. 

I am in mourning for his passing.  I considered Tom a friend, a colleague and a mentor. It's hard to contemplate a world without Tom in it. I know that I am not the only person who feels this way. 

I extend my condolences Tom's family and the Wharton Legal Studies group. 

Bob Thomas 

 

I am terribly sorry to hear this news.  Tom was of course highly accomplished in the profession and a leader in the field, but I knew him rather as someone who helped define the department, and as a friend.  My fondest recollections are conversations in which he would discuss his children and grandchildren, on whom he doted -- sometimes while we were both en route to the Washington DC area, where some had settled -- and long strategizing sessions relating to his fantasy football teams, in which he somehow made me feel like I was contributing something to his vastly superior knowledge.  When I made the difficult decision to leave the department, one of the many agonizing aspects was the feeling that I was personally disappointing him; honestly, I think that this wasn't based on anything he said, but rather because he had so naturally assumed the role of a father figure, as I'm sure he did for many others whose paths he crossed.  He will be sorely missed. 

Ed Swaine   

 

For those of you who knew and worked with Tom, you can appreciate what a kind and thoughtful individual he was.  He had been very supportive and helpful to me on a variety of joint projects, and was always a joy to work with.  He was not only a great citizen of Wharton, but of the University.  He will be sorely missed. 

Michael A. Fitts