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Barbara L. Lukermann

Barbara Lukermann Obituary

Lukermann, Barbara L. Age 79, of Falcon Heights Passed away Monday March 23 at home. Barbara fought a hard battle against cancer for the last 6 months. She is survived by her husband Fred Lukermann, professor emeritus of Geography at the U of M; daughters Carla Lukermann (Rexford, New York) and Kate Plaisance (Falcon Heights, MN); grandsons William and Eric Plaisance and her sister Margaret Hurst (Bramhall, England). Barbara was much loved for her devotion to her community and to her students. From 1982 to 2008, she was a senior fellow and faculty member in the Humphrey Institute's Planning Program. She was also a Senior Research Associate with the University's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). She chaired the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission, has been a board member of the St. Paul District Energy utility, and was president of the Citizens League. A memorial event is being planned for a later date. At the family's request, memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, should go to the U of M Foundation, Barbara L. Lukermann Service Award, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, U of M, Attn: Development Office, Suite 300, 301 19th Ave S, Mpls, MN 55455.

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Published by Pioneer Press on Mar. 28, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Lukermann

28 Entries

Stuart Portoghese

April 26, 2009

I was a good friend of her son Bruno, who also succumbed to cancer. I remember Barbara well. My sincere condolences to Barbara’s family and many friends.

Barbara at Seward Cafe, February 2005. She was always available to meet and warm me with her winning smile. Susan Schaefer

April 20, 2009

Rick Wagner

April 18, 2009

I'm saddened to hear about Barbara's passing. As her neighbor, I got to know her while serving on our community association board. She was a great President with a real gift for assisting in finding solutions to small and large problems. She was also a wonderful host. I have fond memories of a dinner she helped organize to celebrate the boards work. My sincerest condolences to her family and many friends.

Susan Schaefer

April 14, 2009

One of the single greatest introductions in my lifetime was to Barbara. I was external director of communications for Cuningham Group architects working on the Minneapolis Riverfront program. We had an ambitious dream to create an authentic public affairs program to visualize what the Minneapolis/St. Paul Mississippi Riverfront could be. The late, great urban designer, Victor Caliandro, suggested I invite Barbara to be the grand facilitator for our team. John Cuningham love the idea and she graciously accepted. So began my friendship with this astounding woman. My late husband, Martijn Hermse, became a member of our personal Barbara Lukermann fan club. One night we hosted Fred and Barbara for a dinner at our home. We found their combination of intellect, compassion and warmth utterly infectious. My deepest sympathies to the family. I will miss my occasional visits with Barbara and international phone conversations. I cannot imagine how deep the loss must be for the family. Warmest regards and respect.

Jeff Levine

April 7, 2009

Barbara Lukermann was like a breath of fresh air when I began my graduate studied in Urban Planning at the U. At the time, the school was heavily weighted towards its policy program. Barbara kept the planning students under her wing and encouraged us to look at policy and planning as complementary. I don't think I would have had nearly as good an experience, or become the professional planner and lover of geography I am today, without her encouragement. She was also remarkable for her ability to deftly work her way around the politics of a situation, always with a smile. She will be missed.

Heather Worthington

April 6, 2009

I worked with Barbara when she served on the Falcon Heights Planning Commission. Her knowledge of planning matters was vast, of course; what I also valued was her caring wisdom, and her ability to carefully weigh options and lead discussions while never discounting the opinions of those in opposition. A person generous with her time and talents; in every sense, Barbara was a civic leader. She will be greatly missed.

Margi Dewar

April 1, 2009

I am very sad that Barbara has died. When I saw her last summer, we had our usual lively, interesting discussion about her planning projects and about challenges facing the Twin Cities. I am shocked that she is dead so soon. I benefited greatly from Barbara’s friendship and knowledge. She welcomed me warmly to the Humphrey Institute when I joined the faculty there in 1980. We co-taught a workshop course where students assessed the border enterprise zone program for the state legislature’s research office. I knew urban planning research, but I learned that I did not know planning practice. I learned at least as much as the students did from Barbara’s wise approach, as we interviewed people in Moorhead and East Grand Forks and collected and analyzed key data. We often had lunch at St. Martin’s Table to discuss an issue with a project or a class. I have thought often of her example of strength in the face of profound grief when Bruno was dying. She was always warm, generous, thinking of others, and she was always a wise, insightful planner. I will miss her greatly, but I’ll also continue to benefit from the gifts she gave me in friendship and knowledge of urban planning. I send my sympathies to Fred and wish him comfort in this difficult time.

Lukermann conference room, The Humphrey Institute

March 31, 2009

Catherine Geisen-Kisch

March 31, 2009

Barbara was my teacher, advisor and friend. I am so incredibly fortunate to have shared in her smiling optimism, gentle candor, and love of community. During an NPCR internship, I had subconsciously changed the title of the project I was assigned; a project which later became my thesis. Rather than challenge the decision, Barbara guided me through the arguments in favor of my suggested change and supported me in broadening the scope to meet the needs of the community. She served as an invaluable resource and advocate throughout my thesis and remained a constant mentor. Barbara went above and beyond the role of researcher/professor/mentor and was not only always available; but reached out to her students to enrich their personal experience. She was instrumental in my receipt of two awards which served, early in my career, as a mirror to help me name/clarify my own operating principles: my commitment to inclusive planning and being a “reflective practitioner”. I am grateful that Barbara made time to meet on so many occasions for lunch over the years, for her interest in my travels and work overseas, and her wisdom. Her personal commitment to learning and citizen involvement greatly impacted my life and my professional work as a planner. I am very saddened to know that she had been suffering from cancer - she was an extremely strong and positive person. I wish my very best to her family, colleagues and friends. She has touched so many and lives on through our actions. I carry her work forward and will never forget the warmth of her smile.

James Lehnhoff

March 31, 2009

Barbara was an inspirational person in so many ways, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to learn from her during (and after) my time at the Humphrey Institute. She was always willing to help out and generously share her experience and intellect. The planning profession was made better by her contributions. My warmest regards to her family.

Diane Sorrells

March 30, 2009

Barbara Lukermann was my advisor and my very favorite person at the Humphrey Institute. She inspired me in so many ways and I enjoyed studying land use and development with her. She liked my work, which felt good since I admired her work! I found her to be a warm, receptive person with an open-minded approach to issues. Barbara was a fellow Brit who married an American. I followed in her footsteps and did the same. I will miss her kindred spirit very much. My prayers and thoughts are with her and her family.

Paul Christensen

March 30, 2009

I was a close friend of her son Bruno, who also succumbed to cancer. She was always kind and generous and gracious. My sincere condolences to Barbara’s family and many friends.

Maricarmen Cortes

March 30, 2009

I wish to express my deepest sadness to hear of my dear Barbara's passing.
I met Barbara in 1985 when I was a HHH Fellow at the U of Mn and we have continued to be in touch since then.
Barbara was such an inspiration to me, such a great professional, bubling personality, such a wonderful human being... and will miss her delicious tea sessions. I feel very honored and blessed to have had her as part of my life.

My love and sympathy for her family.

Jeff Smyser

March 30, 2009

It was always a ray of sunshine to run into Barbara somewhere. Remembering that sunshine will dispel the cloud of knowing she's left us.

Daryl Morey

March 30, 2009

As a planner for the City of Lakeville I had the opportunity to work with Barbara a couple of times while she was preparing enrollment projections for the Lakeville School District. She was extremely thorough in her background work on the enrollment projections, which served the Lakeville School District, and the City, very well. It was a pleasure working with her - she will be missed! My condolences to her family, especially Kate who I graduated high school with.

beth salzl

March 30, 2009

I was a friend of Katie's in high school. I remember Barbara well. To the whole family I am so sorry for your loss. I am saddened and hope that your memories will help you through this very hard time.

Janet Jeremiah

March 30, 2009

Barbara was a wonderful mentor to me and many other Planners. I will miss her unshakable optimism, warmth, and encouragement.

John Bryson

March 30, 2009

Barbara joined the faculty of the Humphrey Institute in 1982, I believe, when I was then an assistant professor. She was such a wonderful colleague and supporter of the Institute's students, the Institute itself, and planning generally! She will be sorely missed by legions of devoted students and colleagues. Barbara Crosby, my wife and also a Humphrey professor, wish to express our deepest condolences to Fred and all of Barbara's family.

Patrick Boylan

March 30, 2009

Barbara was instrumental in my decision to attend graduate school (even though it was not the Humphrey).

Her eloquence, grace, and gentle demeanor should be the standard professional planners and academic instructors should strive toward.

She will be greatly missed.

Patrick Boylan
St. Paul, MN

Kathy Ahlers

March 30, 2009

When I was a mid-career student working temporarily at CURA, Barbara took me under her wing, making time on several occasions to have lunch together. Given her interest in education, she was curious about the decade I spent unschooling my daughters. In the last few years, when I had called Barbara to touch base and ask her for help on a current project, she was unflinchingly generous with her time and knowledge. I will miss her. My condolences to Barbara's family and her long-time colleagues.

Darren Short

March 29, 2009

My life changed significantly thanks to Barbara and her leadership of the Humphrey-Fulbright program at the Humphrey Institute. The program allowed me to leave England and spend a year in MN - and the experience changed my professional and personal paths.

I was fortunate to meet Barbara on many occasions, although sadly, the most recent meeting was as long ago as 1998. I always found her authentic, friendly, and caring. I believe that she leaves behind a strong legacy and many fond memories. Thank you Barbara.

Phebe Hanson

March 28, 2009

I've been in a book club with Barbara for 15 years. I always looked forward to her wise and gracious presence, her gentle humor and endless good nature.
When we met at her house, we were especially blessed by her exquisitely-prepared and delicious meals. Her contributions to our book discussions were always thoughtful and perceptive. I knew she had cancer, but because of her uncomplaining nature, I had no idea how short her life among us was to be. I shall miss her very much.

Otto Schmid

March 28, 2009

Otto Schmid
Co-Administrator, American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter

I met Barbara in the mid sixties when I was an entry level planner with a competing planning consulting firm in Minneapolis. First impressions are lasting, and Barbara was first class in all ways. I also served on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Planners (AIP) with Barbara in the early 70's. She kept this planner, who had much to learn, in his place with thoughtful guidance that carried me through my career. Last year, Barbara contacted me with a request to archive some of the newsletters from those early AIP days. A first class act from a first class lady.

Blair Tremere

March 28, 2009

Barbara's dedication to planning, public service, and good government as well as her intellect and good humor will serve as her legacy. It will be seen in the many professional and lay planners who she taught and counseled. It will live on in institutional settings, not the least of which are the Humphrey Institute and the American Planning Association--particularly the Minnesota Chapter and its early constructs. Hopefully her life will be commemorated at the national conference of the American Planning Association which will be in Minneapolis next month.

A true civic and academic icon as passed. I will miss her wit, wisdom, and her civility.

Bill Buth

March 28, 2009

During the years that I had the pleasure of working with Barbara on the Disrtict Energy Board, her smile and positive frame of mind was her calling card. She was truly a people person who will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Mark Rancone

March 28, 2009

While I enjoyed Fred's geography of the Twin Cities class as an undergraduate at the U, I was very fortunate to spend a number of years with Barbara as a fellow board member at District Energy. As a former educator, we had a passion for adding an educational component to the many "missions" at DE. Her positive, energetic personality, and her cute and classy British accent endeared her to us all, and especially me. She leaves quite a legacy - an eviable contributor to humankind. I hope you cherish the good memories.

Beth Cavert

March 28, 2009

We will miss this beloved great lady. She was such an engaging intellectual, a kind and generous friend, and her home was a warm and welcoming place. Our sympathy and love to her family in recognition of your great loss.