Norbert Severin Bischof

Norbert Severin Bischof (1933 - 2009) Norbert Bischof's family, friends, and colleagues mourn his death on 29 August. His Memorial Service will be on Sunday 11 October at 2:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington, CA. [See uucb.org for directions] Born 18 July 1933 in Syracuse, New York, Norbert was taken by his mother Clara to Germany in 1937. There he remained throughout World War II, returning to America in 1949 to rejoin his father Severin. At Syracuse Central High School he discovered geometry's beautiful deductive system. Thereafter he studied physics and mathematics at Syracuse University. Graduate study in mathematics and philosophy followed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and at UC Berkeley. An inspired teacher and mentor to students and faculty alike, Norbert taught at Merritt College in Oakland from 1960 until this year. Norbert co-founded the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges in 1968. He served as president in 1980, as well as president of Academic Senates at Merritt College and of the Peralta District. His pioneering efforts to bring students and faculty into academic governance inspired many to work to create procedures and policies to improve education and promote fairness and equity. He will long be remembered for his wide-ranging knowledge and interests. Contributions may be made to the Norbert S. Bischof Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Peralta Colleges Foundation, 333 East 8th Street, Oakland, California 94706.