4 In memoriam: Morris Weitman, 1924-2011 rofessor Emeritus Morris (“Morrie”) Weitman was born Aug. 14, 1924 in New York City and died in Portland Nov. 25, 2011. Interment with military honors took place Nov. 19 in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Family and a large number of friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a worthy member of the “greatest generation.” Morrie was raised in New York City, attending public schools on Manhattan’s lower east side. From Sept. 1940 until Morris Weitman Dec. 1942, he attended City College of New York prior to army paratrooper service during World War II. After being wounded and captured by the Nazi army, he survived prisoner of war hardships. Upon returning to civilian life in 1946, Morris returned to City College, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1948. Graduate studies at the New School for Social Research in New York City led to a master’s degree in 1953 and a doctoral degree in 1960. He held a series of research and teaching appointments at Cornell Medical School, the Universities of Illinois and Colorado, and Western Washington University. Professor Weitman began an academic career in Oregon in July 1960, with three years of instructional service at the Medical School. In the fall of 1963 he joined PSU’s psychology faculty as an associate professor. His PSU appointment coincided with the institution’s emergence as a comprehensive urban university designed to meet felt needs for advanced levels of education and research. At Portland State Morrie attracted significant numbers of enthusiastic students in his popular classes. His research interests focused on innovation and evaluation in higher education, notably contributing to the department’s curricular development. His expertise on devising and evaluating survey and interview methodologies led to successful collaborative efforts with researchers from various public service agencies dealing with issues such as children’s health needs and drug use prevention. Colleagues from across the institution highly respected Professor Weitman for his impressive service on faculty constitutional committees. In 1966 he chaired an ad hoc committee assigned to devise an equitable system for distributing one-time cash grants (the controversial “Mosser Awards”) based upon student questionnaires to identify outstanding faculty members. His advice proved to be useful in arriving at an acceptable solution to a highly sensitive issue. Professor Weitman’s research undertakings led to grants from the National Institutes of Mental Health and the U.S. Office of Special Education. His investigative findings appeared in juried publications in numerous professional journals in the fields of psychology, medical science, and education. After coming to PSU, he regularly collaborated on research projects with faculty from Oregon Health Sciences University. Many of us knew Morrie through his consistent attention to physical fitness. As a witty and wellinformed person whose knowledge and intellectual interests transcended a broad range of subjects, a conversation with him inevitably was delightful. Our organization sends its heartfelt condolences to his survivors: daughter Ruth Weitman Bath (David); son Leonard (Debbie); grandchildren Monica Weitman, and Jasmine and Jade Bath; and, his sister Mollie Elkin (Frank). Remembrance donations may be made to PSU at www.foundation.pdx.edu/publicgift/psychology.jsp. A guest book may be signed at www.oregonlive.com.obits. --Emeritus Professor of History Victor C. Dahl RAPS club reports, cont. RAPS Hikers sally forth on Friday the 13th The RAPS Hikers planned their 2012 hikes at the annual December potluck. Hikes are scheduled on the second Friday of the month January through November. They include local hikes, a Mt. Hood hike, one in the Columbia Gorge, two along the Oregon Coast, one at Lacamas Lake, and two in Oregon State Parks. The January hike is scheduled for Friday the 13th on the Willamette River Esplanade. This is a water level loop with almost no elevation gain. Meet at 9:30 am at the OMSI parking lot by the electric car charging stations. We will decide on a nearby restaurant for lunch following the hike. Confirm your participation to Larry Sawyer 503771-1616 or larry_sawyer@comcast.net. --Larry Sawyer P
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