Eugene Haddan, an Eastern Michigan University professor emeritus of teacher education, died July 4 at the V.A. Medical Center in Battle Creek. He was 86.
Haddan was born March 31, 1918, in Greencastle, Ind. and grew up in Brazil, Ind. He received his bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate in education, all from North Texas State University. Haddan taught at EMU from 1965-88.
"I knew him over 15-20 years until he retired," said Thomas Gwaltney, professor of teacher education. "He taught educational psychology and was a psychologist by profession. He was a professor of long standing at EMU."
Haddan worked, for a time, with behaviorist B.F. Skinner and wrote a number of books in the field of education. With his friend, Finley Carpenter, he co-authored, "Systematic Application of Psychology to Education," which was published in 1964.
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"He was a very gentle person in his interactions with other people, very sensitive to their needs and concerns. And, for most of us, he was the epitome of a scholar," said Bert Greene, professor emeritus, teacher education. "He came into education rather late in life and certainly made up for it with his contributions."
Haddan's other accomplishments include serving as a radio operator and trumpeter in the 11th Infantry and Infantry Band; working as a radio operator during World War II on a commercial cargo aircraft, often on trans-Atlantic flights supporting allied forces; and working at KRLD radio station in Dallas, Texas, after the war.
Haddan enjoyed biking, camping, hiking and sailing. He also was musically inclined, playing the trumpet, harmonica and banjo for friends and family. He also loved to communicate worldwide in Morse code on his ham radio.
He was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor and volunteered weekly to help feed the homeless. He also participated in the Friends in Deed social work program to help displaced families.
Survivors include his wife, Lynn; two sons, William and Michael, both of California; a stepson, David Lewis of New York City now living in Albania; a stepdaughter, Kimberly Lewis Pratt of Radnor, Pa.; a sister, Rosemary Hudson of Bazil, Ind.; and two grandsons.
A memorial service took place July 31 at the First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor. Memorial contributions may be made to the Autumn Days Dementia Unit, V.A. Medical Center, Battle Creek. Please send memorials to: C/O Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, 103 E. Mansion St., Marshall, MI 49068.
Ruth Marcine Percy Westerman, former Eastern Michigan University admissions and financial aid counselor, died July 10, at her Ann Arbor residence. She was 80.
Westerman was born April 18, 1924, in Lima, Ohio. She received her bachelor's degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1945 and her master's degree from Northwestern University in 1948.
Westerman also was an adviser to Mortar Board at EMU and received the Community Service Award from Washtenaw Community College. She was the founding director of the Washtenaw Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the United Way Volunteer Action Center. She was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church.
"I remember seeing her at special dinners with her husband," said Theo Hamilton, a coordinator in Career Services. "She was a very nice lady with an attitude of a queen."
She is survived by her husband, W. Scott Westerman, Jr.; one son, W. Scott Westerman III of Bettendorf, Iowa; a daughter, Judith Kay of Glen Rock, N.J.; a brother, Donald Edwin of Middleton, Wis.; a sister, Janet Elaine Thiesing of Lima, Ohio; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service took place July 11 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor.
