John Brubacher, a former head of the Department of Educational Leadership and professor of education in the Neag School of Education, passed away in October 2010.

Dr. Brubacher was born July 17, 1928, in Albany, NY, and is survived by his beloved wife, Harriet, three children, Elizabeth, Janis and John, along with six grandchildren. After growing up in Hamden, Conn., Dr. Brubacher graduated from The Taft School and went on to earn his B.A. from Yale, his M.A. from Columbia and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Brubacher began his teaching career in St. Louis, Mo., followed by the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon, before taking a leave to work for the U.S. Naval Intelligence Service in Washington, D.C. In 1956 Dr. Brubacher and Mrs. Brubacher moved to Michigan where he taught in Grosse Pointe, became an elementary school principal, received his Ph.D. and later became superintendent of schools in Alpena, Mich., and Bellevue, Wash.

Dr. Brubacher’s 30-year career with UConn as a tenured professor and department head began in 1969 and led him to serve on numerous boards for school systems, working with administrators and superintendents. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Dr. Brubacher’s memory to UConn’s Neag School of Education. Checks can be made payable to: The UCONN Foundation, Inc. c/o John W. Brubacher, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269.