Name: Visitation for Dean Alfange Jr.
Start: 2023-01-06T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-06T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Douglass Funeral Service

Dean Alfange Jr.

Leverett, MA - Dean Alfange, Jr., born in New York City on May 6, 1930, died at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA, on January 1, 2023, following a long illness; his wife, Barbara, was at his side. Growing up on New York's West Side, he attended McBurney school and from there earned a BA at Hamilton College in 1950. He served in the military from 1952 to 1957. In 1960 he received a master's degree from the University of Colorado followed by a doctorate from Cornell University in 1967.

While in Colorado he met Barbara Vance whom he married in 1959, to begin their sixty-four years together. After teaching at Lafayette College from 1963 to 1966 he taught constitutional law and civil liberties at the University of Massachusetts until his retirement in 1999. During that time he also served in the positions of Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Acting Provost.

During his teaching career he received distinguished teaching awards from both Lafayette and UMass. The Dean Alfange Lecture Series in Constitutional Law was funded by a group of former students and brought distinguished scholars in that field to speak, annually. Many of his writings were published in leading law journals as were his reviews of articles written by others. He took part on many panel discussions and served on a variety of committees over the years.

Dean's active military duty was followed by twenty years of serving in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1980 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Following his retirement from teaching, he was able to pursue his interest in the arts an became a supporter of several small theatrical groups in the City, such as The Mint, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Gingold Theatrical Group, Musicals Tonight and musical venues performing the music of Tin Pan Alley and classical jazz including Vince Giordano and his Nighthawks Orchestra. Films of the 20's and 30's were also of interest to him and he was able to build an extensive home library of tapes and recordings. His support went to local performers as well, two of which included the Valley Light Opera and the duo of Jerry Noble and Bob Sparkman.

Sadly, the arrival of Covid and the lockdown of New York City in March of 2020 brought a halt to the frequent trips to the city, and subsequently issues of poor health prevented Dean's resumption of them.

Dean is survived by his wife, Barbara, a nephew, John Osgood, and a cousin, Thalia Collis.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Jan. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Dean Alfange

7 Entries

David Mervin

December 30, 2023

A dear friend and a distinguished scholar and teacher.

Ben Clancy

January 7, 2023

I was a student of Professor Alfange at UMass in the 1970s. I recall how dedicated he was to his courses and what a great learning experience it was for me to be in classroom. Professor Alfange and my other polical science professors led me to become interested in government and law resulting in a successful legal career in the military. My sincere condolences to the family.

David Aronson

Sent Flowers

David Allen

January 5, 2023

Dear Barbara,
Mary and I extend our sympathy to you. The two years I spent under Dean's Socratic tutelage and red edit pencil at Lafayette was the best preparation possible for the rigors of law school. That he was superb in the classroom and then maintained decades-long meaningful friendships with many of his students are just two of the many reasons he well deserves the accolades of a career well-served and a life well-lived. I shall always cherish the relationships we shared.
David Allen,
Student and Friend

Ben Madonia

January 5, 2023

Dear Barbara,
You have my heartfelt sympathy for Dean. He shall be remembered as a distinguished, thoughtful, erudite, humble, and kind man by his students, colleagues, and friends. He enriched the lives of those privileged to know him, including mine.
You have my kindest regards.
Ben Madonia

David Mervin

January 5, 2023

Barbara, I was very sorry to hear the news about Dean. He was a dear friend over many years, ever since we were at Cornell. Since then every time a Gilbert and Sullivan tune has surfaced on the radio I have been reminded of Dean. It has been a privilege for me to have had such a distinguished scholar as a friend.

John Pollock

January 4, 2023

My best to you Barbara, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been flooded with memories of Dean wearing all of his silly hats and making everyone laugh. You and Dean are very special to me.

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