Joseph Finkelstein '47, emeritus professor of History, Economics and Management who served the College for more than 50 years, died on Monday. Burial was Wednesday in Boston, and a campus memorial service is planned for winter term.
The Troy, N.Y., native majored in social studies at Union, graduating a year after he had begun teaching history classes at the College.
He then went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1952. He did postdoctorate research under a Fulbright Fellowship at the London School of Economics and returned to Union in 1953, becoming a full professor 10 years later.
He retired in 1996, predicting in his usual dry way, “I'm going to do exactly the same things I've been doing – except I won't be teaching classes or going to meetings.”
Indeed, in retirement Finkelstein remained a fixture on campus.
He was a frequent contributor at faculty meetings, where colleagues reveled in his institutional knowledge and his eagerness to engage college officials in debate, his voice rising in pitch as the discussions became more intense.
At one meeting, when President Roger Hull tried to conclude an exchange by saying, “Joe, we'll have to agree to disagree,” Finkelstein shot back: “I'd never agree to that!”
“Joe will be remembered by his colleagues and students for his good humor, his high standards, his deep commitment to the College and his spirited, collegial discussion of issues large and small,” said Therese McCarty, interim dean of faculty, in an email to campus.
Survivors include his wife, Nadia Ehrlich; three children, Sharon Finkelstein of Schenectady; Jonathan Finkelstein of Lexington, Mass; and Neal Finkelstein of Oakland, Calif.; five grandchildren; and his brother, Morris Finkelstein of Albany.