Obituary: George T. Sulzner III, Professor Emeritus of Political Science

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George Theodore Sulzner III
George T. Sulzner III

George Theodore Sulzner III, 80, of Amherst, professor emeritus of political science, died Oct. 28.

Born Dec. 3, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, developed his interest in political science as an undergraduate at Muskingum College in Ohio. He went on to obtain a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1967 and joined the UMass Amherst political science department in 1968.

In the 1970s, he was an integral part of the department’s Master of Public Administration program, which evolved into the Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA), where he taught and served as acting director in 2003. In 2016, CPPA became the School of Public Policy.

He retired in 2006 having served, at various times, as department chair, graduate program director, undergraduate program director and mentor to countless graduate and undergraduate students. He taught and wrote about American politics, personnel management, union and management relations, and Canadian studies.

In 2009, he was one of 20 individuals to receive a 20/20 Vision Award from the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS) in recognition of extraordinary vision and distinguished performance. In 2011 he was presented with the Donner Medal for distinguished achievement, scholarship, and program innovation in the area of Canadian studies in the United States.

Between 2001-2007, he served as the vice president and president of ACSUS. During his tenure as president, he bolstered the organization’s finances, led the effort to sustain governmental funding for Canadian studies, promoted the cause of attracting new membership, and inspired his colleagues, nationally and internationally, to renew their commitment to this interdisciplinary endeavor.

In addition to his academic activities, he was an active labor relations arbitrator for the U.S. Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union for nearly 30 years, demonstrating to his students the importance of integrating knowledge and experience.

He had beautiful tenor voice and sang with his wife Fran in the Valley Light Opera, Hampshire Choral Society, Berkshire Choral International, and the Unitarian Universalist Choir.

He was a regular staple at Minuteman basketball games, and was often spotted at Amherst breakfast spots, where he would gather with friends to catch up on politics, family and sports.

He leaves his wife, Frances Plumer; his daughters, Sarah and Katie Sulzner; sons-in-law, Alex Darcy and Jerome Christensen; his stepson, Stephen Snyder; his twin sister, Barbara Greenwood and family; and his former wife, Lee Bridegam

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held Friday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 121 North Pleasant St., Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, send donations in his honor to the Unitarian Society of Amherst’s Music Program or Craig’s Place Shelter in Amherst.