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William Livingston Obituary

William Samuel Livingston William Samuel Livingston, longtime educator at the University of Texas, died on August 15, 2013 at the age of 93. Born in Ironton, Ohio in 1920 to Samuel G. Livingston and Bata Elkins Livingston, he grew up in Ohio, earned a BA and an MA from Ohio State University, married his college sweetheart, was awarded the Bronze Star in Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge as a field artillery officer, earned a PhD at Yale and moved to Austin, Texas in 1949 with his wife, Lana, and his infant sons, Steve and David, to begin his love affair with UT as a teacher, scholar and administrator. Bill Livingston loved talking with people. He loved reading, the English language, a good joke, tennis, and above all his wife and family. He had a gentle spirit and immense good will in him. As a professor of Government, he was given a number of awards for his teaching. He expected his students to do more than they believed themselves capable of, and he often got it. Most rewarding to him was the fact that many former students stayed in touch with him or said he inspired them or even changed their lives. Bill Livingston was recognized for his work as a scholar as well. He wrote or edited half a dozen books and many articles on the comparative study of federalism and on British and American constitutional history. Bill served in many administrative positions at UT. Apart from teaching, most of his attention in the 1960s was given to the Government Department, first as Graduate Advisor and then as Chairman; much of the 1970s was devoted to the Faculty Senate, of which he was elected Chairman for six years; and most of the 1980s and 90s was devoted to his role as Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies, interrupted by a brief stint as Acting President. From 1995 on he served as Senior Vice President. During his 58 years with the University, he received numerous accolades and awards. At the ceremony for the Pro Bene Meritis Award in 1992 he was described as "wise, erudite, witty, diplomatic, exuberant, empathetic, kind - and consistently charming." His family wholeheartedly agrees. Bill Livingston deeply appreciated that he had been blessed with a wonderful life. Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lana Livingston, his two sons, Stephen and wife Cindy, and David and wife Tracy, his grandsons, Mark Livingston and wife Katy, and David Livingston and wife, Sarah, and his great grandchildren, Lucy, William, Jane and Samuel. A memorial service in celebration of Bill Livingston will be held Wednesday, September 4 at 10 a.m. in the LBJ Auditorium at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Rather than flowers, contributions may be made to William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship, c/o The University of Texas at Austin, 110 Inner Campus Drive, Stop G0400 Austin, Texas 78712-1710, or any other gift to the University. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com



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Published by Austin American-Statesman from Aug. 18 to Aug. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for William Livingston

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Shirley Burleson Espinosa

December 16, 2013

I was a staff member in Dr. Livingston's Office in the late 70s when he served as Dean of Graduate Studies. He was a class act: unfailingly kind, calm and helpful. I have never forgotten what a gentle and genuine soul he was.

David Couch

August 28, 2013

I took his British Government class in the early 70,s and I don't think I missed one of his lectures. He was that good. What a wonderful career he had. Condolences to his family.

August 26, 2013

Shirley Bird Perry was my sister. She
spoke of "Bill" with great love and
admiration. They devoted their careers
to UT and each made such an outstanding
impact. It's nice to think Dr.
Livingston and Shirley Bird are planning their next magnificent project.

Patsy Bird Weber
New Braunfels, TX

Dale Johnson

August 25, 2013

At age 19 in the summer of 1959, I stayed in Austin after my freshman year rather than return to my hometown (Liberty, Texas). I had had a challenging freshman year in Plan Two, although I enjoyed it. I worked for state government downtown. I chose to take a general government course taught by Dr. Livingston sort of as a relief from my regular academic path. And swimming. I got Dr. Livingston totally by random. It was the greatest course I ever took. I was riveted and at the same time very entertained by Dr. Livingston's ability to teach. I made an A in the course. Dr. Livingston and I only interacted during classtime. I briefly wondered if perhaps I should change my major to government, having made the only A in a course thus far at UT. But I continued with Plan Two. I'm glad to read in Dr. Livingston's obituary that life treated him well and that he was recognized often at the University with positions and awards. He greatly deserved them. I interacted briefly with another favorite professor, Dr. Willis Pratt, at a Plan Two reunion several years ago. I wish I had had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Livingston as well but am very pleased to know that his life was so full that he hardly needed any more friends or recognition. I'm appreciative that you put Dr. Livingston's obituary in the Dallas Morning News, as it was informative to many people I'm sure who might not have known of Dr. Livingston's death otherwise. He was simply a very great teacher and person, in addition to other great qualities. Dale P. Johnson Dallas (age 73)

Bill McCarron, MD

August 20, 2013

Our world was a better place because of Bill Livingston. He generously shared his knowledge and friendship. He always had a funny story to enjoy with someone. R.I.P.

Jim Geary

August 20, 2013

David, Steve and family:
Your Dad was an exceptional man who gave much to family, friends and UT.
I had the opportunity to hear him speak and enjoy his company on several occasions and always felt I benefited from those experiences.

As time passes, I pray you will be left with fond and loving memories of a great human being.

Godspeed,
Jim

August 18, 2013

If all teachers had the talent, the humor, the grace of Bill Livingston the world would indeed be a better place. I had the privilege of walking some of the battlefields of Normandy with him and attending most of the seminars on British history he presented to UT SAGE and QUEST in recent years. What a wonderful person he was and how lucky we were he came our way. He will be greatly missed.

Sandy (Mrs. Bill) Woods

Jill Winn Hoffner

August 18, 2013

I've known the Livingston family since I was in elementary school when my older sister, Cindy Winn, started going steady with Steve at O'Henry Jr. High. Bill and Lana Livingston are very special to the Winn family. Professor Livingston was my teacher at UT, but my favorite memories of Bill are as a Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He had a genuine smile and personal greeting for everyone and he and Lana have always been an important part of every family celebration! Bill Livingston was one of a kind. He was interesting, informed, articulate, and kind. He passed those qualities to his sons, David and Steve and Grandsons David and Mark. He leaves such a valuable legacy to his four precious Livingston great-grandchildren; Lucy, Will, Jane, and Sam. He was an unforgetable man and will be greatly missed!

Howard Nirken

August 18, 2013

One of the kindest souls you will ever meet. He not only represented the voice of the University of Texas, he represented its heart and truly made it "a University of the first class."

John Slate

August 18, 2013

Thank you for being such a great friend and work colleague with my mother. You exemplified the best in academic endeavor and personal comportment. May your example of a life well lived be long remembered.

David Bolger

August 16, 2013

Bill Livingston was one of the great public faces of The University of Texas. If you met him, you "met" The University. Big shoes to fill.

Karen Werkenthin

August 16, 2013

In the early 1970s I took his British government & politics course, which was highly challenging and completely engaging. And in the 37 years I taught high school English, I never forgot his admonition against the use of the "dash." He found them "rude," considering them "too informal." I always shared that advice with my students, and even now I pause before using a dash, hearing his voice and making sure there's not a better way to punctuate my sentence. What a wonderful, caring professor he was! I am saddened by his death.

SONNY DAVIS

August 16, 2013

I HAD HIM FOR BRITISH HISTORY AND HE WAS A GREAT PROFESSOR. SORRY TO SEE OF HIS DEATH.

Lee Cooke

August 15, 2013

Beyond all of Bill's great work for UT, he was also one of the best representatives of that university to the community at large. He was a keen and constructive advisor to the Greater Austin Chamber and the Mayor's office on a broad list it issues throughtout the 1880's and early 90's. He stepped up as a thoughtful contributor to the evolution of our City many times without note. I always felt I could call on him. The best for his family in this loss and Austin's loss!!

Mardie Moran

August 15, 2013

Dr. Livingston was my first husband's first boss at UT. Don Hanzel (deceased) admired him very much. Dr. Livingston visited me in the hospital after the birth of my first child-I was so impressed.

Cherilyn Young

August 15, 2013

Dr. Livingston's warm, kind, grandfatherly voice of TEX was one of my first official UT greetings (helping to beta-test TEX at freshman orientation in summer 1990) and one of my last UT sending-forth blessings (the last official words into the microphone at my doctoral graduation in May 2002). My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Jennie Lamb

August 15, 2013

I had the pleasure of attending UT Austin in the 1990s and enjoying the TEX phone registration system that utilized Dr. Livingston's amazing voice. I also attended classes with one of his grandsons. I hope his family finds comfort in his lifetime of service and dedication to not only the university, but to political science as a field of study, and to our country.

Kyle Herbert

August 15, 2013

"Good bye and good luck..."

Jim and Clare Shaw

August 15, 2013

Thank you for your many and excellent years of service to the University of Texas. We remember you from our years there, Jim Shaw (1965-1969) and Clare Disney (1972-1977). Best wishes to all family members in this difficult time.

Adi Wilk

August 15, 2013

I had the pleasure of working for/with Dr. Livingston. He was truly a special person who always made time for you and terated you with outmost respect. He will be missed

August 15, 2013

A great leader at UT and a personality all his own. The passing of a wonderful man.

Jim McInnis

August 15, 2013

As a young student at UT nearly sixty years ago I went to Dean Livingston for advice and counseling, followed his guidance, and everything worked out just fine, for which I will always be thankful.

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