Paul J. Burgett

Burgett, Paul J. Rochester: Paul J. Burgett, Vice President & University Dean Emeritus, University of Rochester, passed away on August 22nd, 2018 in Rochester, New York at the age of 72. Paul is survived by the love of his life, Catherine (Kay) G. Valentine, Professor Emerita, Nazareth College of Rochester. Together and lovingly, they traveled the globe with zest and passion. No place was off-limits. Their love of travel over several decades brought them closer together and opened them up to new possibilities. A central element of their joint life was the special delight they found in big city art, film, music and theatre, soaking it up wherever and whenever possible. Theirs was also a rich, shared intellectual life in which they explored the ins and outs, ups and downs of teaching and writing. They had the good fortune to co-write and present papers at scholarly conferences in the U.S. and abroad and to entertain an array of audiences locally with their insights into contemporary Greek culture. Many of the core themes in Kay and Paul's life are captured by how it all began-two young instructors at Nazareth College brought together to facilitate an intense, daylong workshop on sexism in the college setting. He is also survived by his brother, Peter Burgett, and sisters, Lettie Burgett (Benjamin Cowan), Mary Burgett Lacom (Wolfgang), Maggie Burgett (Kimble Smith), Cathy Burgett (Jerry Lyman); many friends, colleagues, former students, and relatives around the world. Paul is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Ruth Burgett of St. Louis, Missouri. Paul earned BM, MA, and PhD degrees from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. His doctoral dissertation treated the aesthetics of the music of Black Americans, a subject that occupied him over 40 years as a teacher and scholar. He served the University of Rochester in several positions including as Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President, Vice President and General Secretary, Vice President and University Dean of Students; Dean of Students, Eastman School of Music. Prior to his University service, he was Assistant Professor of Music at Nazareth College of Rochester; Executive Director, Hochstein Memorial Music School, and a music teacher in the Greece Central School District. As a faculty member in the music department of the University of Rochester?s College of Arts and Science, he taught courses in the History of Jazz, the Music of Black Americans, and music appreciation, and he was academic advisor to freshmen and sophomores and adviser to several student organizations. His community service activities included Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Strong Museum, Chair of Rochester's Zoning Board of Appeals; over the years, he also served on the boards of directors of the Genesee Country Village and Museum, the Hillside Family of Agencies, the Arts and Cultural Council of Rochester, the YMCA, the United Way, the Urban League, the Hochstein Memorial Music School, the International Advisory Board of the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College Chicago, the Mt. Hope Family Center Advisory Board, the Rochester Rotary Club, and the George Eastman House Museum. He served six years in the 98th Division U.S. Army Reserve Band, Rochester NY, and was honorably discharged in 1975. In 2016, the University of Rochester named the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center to honor Paul's commitment to social justice at the University and globally. He was a tireless advocate for the Gateways Music Festival, a multi day series of concerts, performances, and other events featuring classical musicians of African descent. At the time of his death he was chair of the Gateways Board of Directors. Services: A private burial service and a private memorial service will be held at a future date. Donations in Paul's memory can be made to the Gateways Music Festival in Association with the Eastman School of Music. Please contact the Festival at (585) 232-6106 or via email at info@gatewaysmusicfestival.org.