Richard Challener '44, an expert on U.S. diplomacy and a University history professor for 51 years, died Sept. 23 of cancer. He was 79.
"He was just a wonderful, incredibly dedicated teacher who taught American foreign policy to literally thousands of students over half a century," said Dean of the College Nancy Weiss Malkiel, who taught with Challener for years. "He was a wonderful supervisor of senior theses . . . a brilliant lecturer and a remarkably effective preceptor."
A native of Pittsburgh, Challener's lifelong affiliation with the University dates back to 1940, when he enrolled as an undergraduate. After taking three years off to serve in the infantry during World War II, he graduated in 1947 but remained a member of the Class of 1944.
A decorated veteran, Challener took a particular interest in the role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts because of his personal experiences with war.
During his time at the University, he served as chair of the history department and associate dean of the college. He also wrote and co-edited several books on American foreign policy.
But Challener valued his role as a teacher most, his son Daniel '81 said.
"Good teaching mattered to him," he said. "He cared a lot that there was a humane side at the University. He cared a lot that he had nurturing relationships . . . beyond the classroom with his students."
Richard Challener, who brought his precepts into his home each year, was popular with students, fellow professors said.
Malkiel and history department chair Robert Tignor said long lines of students would form outside his office. A course he taught with Malkiel during the 1970s and 1980s, U.S. History Since 1940, was consistently rated one of the top 10 courses in the Student Course Guide, his son said.
When Challener retired in 1993, he was elected an honorary member of the graduating class. However, he continued to teach undergraduate courses until 2000 and served as a senior thesis adviser until last year.
"Few advisers were more sought after than Dick," Tignor said in a eulogy at a memorial service Sept. 27. "He spent countless hours helping students understand independent work, giving them a pep talk about courses and lending a sympathetic ear as they told him about the joys and the woes of growing into adults."
Charles Valentine '97, who had Challener as a thesis adviser, expressed respect and admiration for him.
"[He] was as knowledgeable as anyone in the world," Valentine said. "The direction he gave me was . . . as much as I could have asked for."
Challener received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1952.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha, son Daniel, two daughters Catherine and Elisabeth Bachman and three grandchildren.
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