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Stuart Appelle Obituary
Brighton, NY: Passed away suddenly on June 27, 2011 at age 65. Predeceased by his mother, Gertrude Stein Appelle and father, Ben. Stuart recently was honored by the College at Brockport, State University of New York for 40 years of service; his only place of employment since earning his Ph.D. at George Washington University. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School, Pennsylvania State University, and then completed his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, discovering the "Oblique Effect," still widely cited today. Stuart was a Professor of Psychology at Brockport, having served as Chair of the Department for many years, before serving as an Interim Dean, Associate Dean, and Dean of the School of Letters and Sciences. Most recently, he was the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and nominated to Chair the Great Lakes Consortium. He widely published research on perception, the source of consciousness, as well as applying the scientific method to explain unidentified flying objects and the abduction experience. He edited the Journal for UFO Studies, the only objective scientific publication for UFO research. He was a member of nine professional organizations including: the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, Psychonomic Society, and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis as well as the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), and an original member of Project Blue Book in Washington, DC. Although accomplished in professional life, Stuart's main focus was his family - wife, Joan Sussman, children Rachel and Aaron, and dog, Napoleon. Stuart tackled all tasks with complete abandon and loved life; meticulously researching and completing amazing projects with professional results: dry walling the inside of an entire house; tiling floors; building steps; no project was too large for Stuart. He was also a self-taught expert skier, boater, long-time tennis player, runner, and friend to many. Along with his wife and children, Stuart is survived by brother Gerald, sister-in-law Karen Sussman, niece Wendy and nephews Andrew and Will. He will be deeply missed.
Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to a gathering to celebrate Stuart's life on Saturday, July 9, 2011, from 2-5 pm at 115 Summit Drive, Rochester, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Rochester, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450 (www.lollypop.org).
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Memories and Condolences
for Stuart Appelle
Georges Dicker
July 9, 2019
After I had published one of my books, Stuart said, with sincerity and warmth, "I am proud of you." After the upper administration gave up one of its attempts to abolish the philosophy major (along with the physics and the French majors--the "three F's") , he wryly said to me, "dodged another bullet." I'll not forget these pearls.
Georges Dicker
Chair, Department Philosophy
The College at Brockport
07/11/2019
July 14, 2011
On behalf of MUFON and all those that Stuart worked with in our endeavor, we send our most sincere sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of this admired individual.
Clifford Clift, MUFON International Director.
Cindy Mack
July 7, 2011
My dear friend Joan and Kids,
I will be there Saturday and whenever you need me to. Words can not express.
July 6, 2011
Dear Joan and family I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Tom and I are thinking of you all Linda and Tom House
Chuck Goldman
July 4, 2011
Dear Joan, Rachel and Aaron,
I am Stuart's (and your) cousin Chuck Goldman. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I will continue to have a great deal of affection for my cousin, who was, when we were about fourteen years old, the first person to talk with me seriously about UFOs. It started what has become a lifelong interest of my own. I did not rediscover Stuart until I read an article by him in a MUFON Journal, and called him up out of the blue. He was silent for a moment then yelled into the phone, "Little cousin Chucky? Little Chucky from the Bronx?" I will miss his humor and his brilliance and will always remain fond of him.
Mitchell Beers
July 3, 2011
Penny and I are deeply saddened.. We were fratenity brothers at Penn State and shared many great times at college and after...We will miss him and I will miss speaking with him and keeping in touch. Joan we wish we could be with u and the kids on the 9th. We will try our best to see u this summer. Please keep in contact with us. We will never forget what a great person he was. Love. Penny and Mitch Beers
Penny Beers
July 3, 2011
Dear Joan, Rachel, and Aaron,
Mitch and Stuart were fraternity brothers at Penn State, and I met Stuart in the late 1960s when dating Mitch. We remained friendly with Stuart through our moves to different states. We loved having him visit us wherever we lived, and we were so pleased when he married Joan and had 2 wonderful children. You were the lights of his life and you made his life complete! We are thinking about you, and we are sorry we can't be with you for the memorial service. Please accept our deepest condolences. Love, Penny and Mitch Beers
Karen Melnik
July 3, 2011
WE would like to express our sympathy to the Appelle family. I am sure he will be missed deeply and remembered fully.
Sincere Wishes from Melnik Family
Karen, Greg and Alex Melnik
Linda Dean
July 2, 2011
Joan, Rachel and Aaron, Words can't express how saddened and shocked I am by the loss of Stuart. He was an important part of our life for the past 30 years or so, and nothing will be the same without him. He was just so full of life that I can't even believe he is gone. I am so glad we had time with him last Sunday at the picnic and saw him at the gym on Monday. We are thinking of you and Stuart daily. He will be very much missed. Love, Linda Dean
owen houlihan
July 2, 2011
You were always very funny and I will never forget all the laughs we shared.
R.I.P. You will be deeply missed by all who still love you.
Scott Rochette
July 1, 2011
Hello Joan, Rachel and Aaron...my deepest sympathies to you. Having been chair of the earth sciences department for only two years, my interactions with Stu have been somewhat limited. Nevertheless, I found his senses of fairness, wisdom and clarity to be most helpful while learning the ropes of this job, and as someone with a similar sense of humor, I sincerely appreciated his as well. He will be deeply missed.
Georges Dicker
July 1, 2011
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dean Appelle's untimely passing upon checking my email while on vacation in the U.K. I served as a department chair during the entire time that Stuart was Dean of the School of Letters and Sciences, and like Dr. John Marah, I was struck by his sense of fairness and I enjoyed his sense of humor; I also admired his clarity of thought and expression. I too would like to express my sincere condolences to his family.
Georges Dicker, Chair
Department of Philosophy
The College at Brockport
Bette Howard
July 1, 2011
Joan - My deepest sympathies to you and your family. My thoughts have been with you daily.
John Marah
July 1, 2011
I was saddened to hear about Dean Applle's sudden passing when I went to work on Tuesday, June 28. For a number of years, he was my Dean; I was constantly impressed with his wit and sense of fairplay. I express my sincere feelings of grief to his family and wish them well at a difficult time like this. Dr. John K. Marah, Chair, African and African American Studies, The College at Brockport, State University of New York.
Tom Nesser
July 1, 2011
To Mrs. Appelle and family,
Please accept our condolences on your loss of Stuart. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and at the same time a down to earth great guy. Our association with Stu spans the last twenty plus years, pursuing resolution of a mystery that has intrigued he and us. His insights and counsel will be greatly missed. The members of MUFON in Western NY are grateful for his work, efforts and dedication.
Munroe Eagles
July 1, 2011
To Joan and family,
This is shocking and very sad news. You have my deepest sympathy.
John Dean
July 1, 2011
Very nice job on the Obituary. We'll see you on the 9th. Love, John and Linda
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