Steven J. Cann

1944 - 2021

Steven J. Cann, 76, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday March 18, 2021.

Steve was born on October 30, 1944 to Stanley and Catherine Cann in Faribault, MN. In 1965 he married Darlene Wholer and had a son in 1966, Brian Cann. He served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1968. He first obtained a Bachelor of Science in Social Science in 1970 then a Master of Arts in Social Science in 1972 from North Dakota State University. He concluded his studies in1977 earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science and Government at Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana.

He served as Professor of Political Science at Washburn University from 1985 to 2019 when he retired and continued to serve as Professor Emeritus. He authored a textbook first published in 1995 titled, "Administrative Law," currently in its fourth edition and still widely used. He was a pre-law coordinator and Former Chairman of the Department of Political Science at Washburn. He has published in the area of substantive constitutional law, primarily in civil liberties. He has served on the board of directors for the Kansas Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and served as president of KS ASPA from 1999 to 2000. In 2014 he served as the methodologist for the Kansas Judicial Council Death Penalty Advisory Committee, and was recognized with the Presidents award for contributions to mediation and conflict resolution as well as an award from the Heartland Mediators Association.

He considered the highlight of his career to be when a group of former students created a scholarship in his name, the Dr. Steven Cann Political Science Scholarship Fund.

Steve enjoyed football, playing billiards, reading and conducting research.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Rita Cann. He is also survived by a brother, Jack Cann(Ellen) of St. Paul, MN and son Brian Cann of Missoula, MT, and stepsons Brent Buchanan, Thomas Buchanan, James Osterhaus and Brian Osterhaus(Lindsey), eight grandchilden and one great grandchild.

Memorial contributions can be made to the ACLU of Kansas, in lieu of flowers.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 10, 2021 at 2pm.

VFW Post #1650

3110 SW Huntoon St.

Topeka, KS 66604

The service will be streamed online for those that cannot attend. Please visit, https://everloved.com/life-of/steven-cann/ for details and a link to the live stream.