Barbara LeBlanc
Director of News & Information
Office of Public Relations
(603) 641-7241
bleblanc@anselm.edu
July 7, 2006
Professor Emeritus John Windhausen Dies at Age 73
John D. Windhausen, professor emeritus at Saint Anselm College and one of the country's leading Russian and European scholars, died June 23 at Hillsborough County Nursing Home. He was 73.
He taught history at Saint Anselm from 1959 to 1999 and as a beloved professor and as department chair for three years, he helped build history into one of the region's strongest academic programs. He founded what is now the interdisciplinary Russian Area Studies Program and assisted in developing the college's nationally recognized Portraits in Human Greatness humanities program.
As an academic, he published more than 60 books, articles, conference papers and book reviews on Russian and Soviet history and sports. He led annual academic tours to the Soviet Union, often serving as a conduit of gifts and communications for families split between the states and Russia.
His other contributions include acting as a founding member and president of the Faculty Senate, and chairing the committee that helped restore the college's football program. He was as a trustee of the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences and in 1973 received an Excellence in Teaching award.
"His death is being felt very, very strongly by the faculty," said Fr. Peter Guerin, O.S.B., assistant professor of theology and former dean of the college. "He's going to be missed terribly. He was a wonderful, wonderful fellow and a good friend."
Fr. Peter recounted the professor's sense of humor, storytelling and hearty laugh. After he retired, Professor Windhausen could still be found at the center of lively discussions at the campus coffee shop.
He was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on Dec. 19, 1932, the son of Charles and Catherine (Furlong) Windhausen. He graduated from LeMoyne College, earned a master's degree from Boston College and received his doctorate from the University of Chicago.
Family members include his wife of 49 years, Janet (Flewelling) Windhausen of Goffstown; two daughters, Brenda A. Windhausen and Lisa J. Windhausen, both of Vermont; three sons, John D. Windhausen Jr., of Maryland, Charles A. Windhausen of Hooksett and Thomas W. Windhausen of Maine; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated June 27 at Abbey Church and burial occurred in St. Joseph Cemetery, Donald Street, Manchester. Donations in his name may be made to the Joseph A. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Fund for Russian history students at Saint Anselm College.
Adapted from an obituary published June 25 in New Hampshire Sunday News.