Spring Break
The Daily OrangeChapel memorial honors Ray von Dran's life
By Chelsea Prince
Posted: 9/9/07, 11:49 PM EST Section: News
Raymond F. von Dran showed the world how to live meaningfully - with a little flare.
If he were here today, his expression would be, "Oh shit, I'm dead." Von Dran's foresight of the occasion was retold by his wife, Gisela, who conveyed her husband's nature with comedic gusto.
A combination of tears and laughter filled the oblique rafters at Hendricks Chapel Friday as a rich cross-section of students, family and former peers of von Dran joined in a memorial celebration.
Von Dran's distinctive style of leadership powered by a positive approach turned his life into legacy.
Dean emeritus of the School of Information Studies, von Dran died of heart failure in New York City on July 23. He is survived by his wife, Gisela, and daughter, Beth von Dran.
"Ray was Ray," said interim IST Dean Elizabeth Liddy. "Ray was just a personality and character unto himself that no further explanation is needed."
Von Dran announced his retirement in March 2006, to apply after the 2006-2007 academic year. Von Dran planned an extravagant yearlong sabbatical to explore the world with his wife before coming back to teach at SU.
Though he never had the chance to enjoy the splendors of retirement, his 60 years of abounding achievement, excitement and passion is more than 60 people's lives combined.
Von Dran looked after the iSchool as if it were a familial unit. He was a friend and father to students and faculty. And as obstacles were presented, von Dran had utmost patience to create a faculty of one in order to forge through the day's enigmas, Liddy said.
"Whenever you are in the building, it exudes Ray," Liddy said. "His sense of style, his taste and especially what I value - his commitment to openness and sharing."
Responsible for IST's top national ranking, seven new IST research centers, numerous awards, renowned faculty and a renovated Hinds Hall, von Dran never did anything halfway, Liddy said.
"In the good times and bad times, both professional and personal, he showed of the good that can be done when you care enough about something to invest your whole heart in it," Liddy said.
If he were here today, his expression would be, "Oh shit, I'm dead." Von Dran's foresight of the occasion was retold by his wife, Gisela, who conveyed her husband's nature with comedic gusto.
A combination of tears and laughter filled the oblique rafters at Hendricks Chapel Friday as a rich cross-section of students, family and former peers of von Dran joined in a memorial celebration.
Von Dran's distinctive style of leadership powered by a positive approach turned his life into legacy.
Dean emeritus of the School of Information Studies, von Dran died of heart failure in New York City on July 23. He is survived by his wife, Gisela, and daughter, Beth von Dran.
"Ray was Ray," said interim IST Dean Elizabeth Liddy. "Ray was just a personality and character unto himself that no further explanation is needed."
Von Dran announced his retirement in March 2006, to apply after the 2006-2007 academic year. Von Dran planned an extravagant yearlong sabbatical to explore the world with his wife before coming back to teach at SU.
Though he never had the chance to enjoy the splendors of retirement, his 60 years of abounding achievement, excitement and passion is more than 60 people's lives combined.
Von Dran looked after the iSchool as if it were a familial unit. He was a friend and father to students and faculty. And as obstacles were presented, von Dran had utmost patience to create a faculty of one in order to forge through the day's enigmas, Liddy said.
"Whenever you are in the building, it exudes Ray," Liddy said. "His sense of style, his taste and especially what I value - his commitment to openness and sharing."
Responsible for IST's top national ranking, seven new IST research centers, numerous awards, renowned faculty and a renovated Hinds Hall, von Dran never did anything halfway, Liddy said.
"In the good times and bad times, both professional and personal, he showed of the good that can be done when you care enough about something to invest your whole heart in it," Liddy said.
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