Burt Gummer

ALBANY Burt Gummer, professor emeritus, University at Albany School of Social Welfare, died June 30, 2004. Dr. Gummer was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on May 15, 1938. He received his baccalaureate degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1960, his masters of social work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965, and his doctoral degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pa. in 1973. Beginning his career as a social worker in Pa., he went on to teach at Smith College, Temple University, Lakehead University in Canada and Washington University in St. Louis as well as the University at Albany. Dr. Gummer was a member of and a volunteer at the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He also was a strong supporter of and volunteer at WMHT Public Television and Radio. The School of Social Welfare and the University at Albany lost a most significant faculty member and colleague with Burt Gummer's death. After 25 years of dedicated service as a faculty member in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, Dr. Gummer retired in the fall of 2002. At the School of Social Welfare, he chaired the undergraduate program and management concentration. As a nationally recognized scholar and author of many books and articles, he was a pioneer and made important contributions to administrative practices in social welfare. His essay reviews in Administration in Social Work were the most widely cited by professionals in the field. In addition, he served as a consultant to numerous educational institutions and public and private social service agencies. Dr. Gummer loved crossword puzzles, especially the Sunday New York Times puzzle. He was proud that he often completed the entire puzzle in one sitting and in pen! He was an avid movie fan and a voracious reader of mysteries and books about politics and history. He is survived by his daughter, Abby of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and sons, Max and Charlie of Corvallis, Ore.; Abby's husband, Greg and their children, Jeffrey and Emily of Ann Arbor; Abby's mother, Penny Partridge of Amherst, Mass.; and Max and Charlie's mother, Edith of Corvallis. A graveside service will be held on July 2, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at the Arborcrest Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Mich. A memorial service for friends and colleagues of Dr. Gummer will be held in Albany, N.Y. at a later date. For more information about the memorial service, please contact the University at Albany School of Social Welfare at (518) 442-5320. Donations may be made in Dr. Gummer's memory to the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, 800 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110.