Obituary: Robert Jewell, Education

Robert Jewell (Ph.D.'69), Senior Lecturer in Education, died March 30 while vacationing in Arizona. He was 64.

An expert on school law and finance, Jewell served as a consultant to Chicago-area schools and wrote numerous papers on subjects such as financing teacher salaries.

He served in administrative positions in Chicago-area public schools from 1970 to 1988, when he joined the University faculty as Lecturer in Education. He had been teaching part-time at the University since 1982. His administrative assignments included serving as assistant superintendent of New Trier Township High Schools in Winnetka and of Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, and as superintendent of North Chicago Community High School in North Chicago.

"He was an excellent teacher," said Dan Lortie, Professor Emeritus in Education. "He taught courses in law and finance at the University that were required for state certification and were well attended by people in the Chicago area who were preparing to be administrators.

"He also attracted a large number of undergraduates who were interested in the subject. I think the classes grew by word-of-mouth because people knew he was an engaging teacher."

At the University, Jewell was Assistant Director of the Midwest Administration Center, a center in the Department of Education that studied administration in elementary and high schools. He was also Director of the Laboratory Schools from 1989 to 1990.

Jewell received his B.S. in 1954 and his M.A. in 1958, both from the University of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in education from the University in 1969.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Robert D.; two grandchildren; and a sister, C. Elaine Hibbard.