1924
Roger
2012
Roger C. Van Tassel Ph.D
November 27, 1924 — March 23, 2012
Biography
WORCESTER/HOLDEN – Roger C. Van Tassel Ph.D, 87, of Briarwood Circle, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Clark University, died peacefully under the loving care of his wife and daughter on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Knollwood Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester. He was born in Germantown, New York, the son of Elizabeth (Whitney) and Archie S. Van Tassel on November 27, 1924.
During World War II, Roger served in the Army Air Corps as a B-25 Bomber Pilot. He taught cadets how to fly the B-25’s during the war, and was discharged as a Lieutenant. Roger graduated from Germantown Central School, Union College in Schenectady, New York with a B.A. degree, Cornell University with a M.A. degree and from Brown University with a Ph.D in Economics. He went on to become a Professor of Economics at Clark University in Worcester, where he taught for 42 years. During that time he was Department Chairman for 21 years, and held other positions such as Director of the Institute for Economic Studies, Director of the Summer School, and Director of the Evening College (now known as Copac Graduate Dean). Roger was also an Economics Consultant to the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston.
Roger’s passion for and dedication to the field of Economics led him to become a much sought after speaker on the topics of U.S. and international economics. At one time he wrote a column on Economics for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Roger also authored an economics text book, Economic Essentials A Core Approach, as well as co-authoring many articles.
Early at his time at Clark University, Roger spent a month in South America learning about gold. Later in his career he was a Visiting Professor for a semester at the University of Leuven (Louvain), Belgium. He then taught a short course at the Univers de Trier at Trier, Germany. Lastly, in 1985 he taught a semester on economics at the Italian branch of the John’s Hopkins in Bologna, Italy.
Roger and his wife loved traveling, and so while in Europe on these assignments, spent much of their spare time sightseeing throughout the different countries. They also traveled throughout the U.S. and Roger was even a visiting Professor at the University of California in Los Angeles during two of their summer sessions.
Roger and his wife lived in the same house in Holden for 51 years. Even though Roger was so involved in his career he still found time to become active in various civic offices. At one time he was moderator of the First Unitarian Church on Court Hill in Worcester. He also loved gardening and filled his Holden yard with flowers and flowering bushes. If he hadn’t chosen to become an Economist he quite possibly would have become a Horticulturist.
He is survived by his wife, Grace M. (Evans) Van Tassel; daughter, Linda Van Tassel; a granddaughter, Ashley Van Tassel; a brother, Alan of Germantown, New York; a brother-in-law and his wife of New Lebanon, New York; as well as 12 nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Richard Van Tassel.
A funeral service honoring Dr. Van Tassel’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, at the First Baptist Church, 1216 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, 1286 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Mass Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.
To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com
Funeral Service Honoring Dr. Van Tassel's Life
Saturday
March 31, 2012
,
11 a.m.
at
First Baptist Church of Holden
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Saturday
March 31, 2012
,
12:30 p.m.
at
Grove Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
WORCESTER/HOLDEN – Roger C. Van Tassel Ph.D, 87, of Briarwood Circle, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Clark University, died peacefully under the loving care of his wife and daughter on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Knollwood Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester. He was born in Germantown, New York, the son of Elizabeth (Whitney) and Archie S. Van Tassel on November 27, 1924.
During World War II, Roger served in the Army Air Corps as a B-25 Bomber Pilot. He taught cadets how to fly the B-25’s during the war, and was discharged as a Lieutenant. Roger graduated from Germantown Central School, Union College in Schenectady, New York with a B.A. degree, Cornell University with a M.A. degree and from Brown University with a Ph.D in Economics. He went on to become a Professor of Economics at Clark University in Worcester, where he taught for 42 years. During that time he was Department Chairman for 21 years, and held other positions such as Director of the Institute for Economic Studies, Director of the Summer School, and Director of the Evening College (now known as Copac Graduate Dean). Roger was also an Economics Consultant to the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston.
Roger’s passion for and dedication to the field of Economics led him to become a much sought after speaker on the topics of U.S. and international economics. At one time he wrote a column on Economics for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Roger also authored an economics text book, Economic Essentials A Core Approach, as well as co-authoring many articles.
Early at his time at Clark University, Roger spent a month in South America learning about gold. Later in his career he was a Visiting Professor for a semester at the University of Leuven (Louvain), Belgium. He then taught a short course at the Univers de Trier at Trier, Germany. Lastly, in 1985 he taught a semester on economics at the Italian branch of the John’s Hopkins in Bologna, Italy.
Roger and his wife loved traveling, and so while in Europe on these assignments, spent much of their spare time sightseeing throughout the different countries. They also traveled throughout the U.S. and Roger was even a visiting Professor at the University of California in Los Angeles during two of their summer sessions.
Roger and his wife lived in the same house in Holden for 51 years. Even though Roger was so involved in his career he still found time to become active in various civic offices. At one time he was moderator of the First Unitarian Church on Court Hill in Worcester. He also loved gardening and filled his Holden yard with flowers and flowering bushes. If he hadn’t chosen to become an Economist he quite possibly would have become a Horticulturist.
He is survived by his wife, Grace M. (Evans) Van Tassel; daughter, Linda Van Tassel; a granddaughter, Ashley Van Tassel; a brother, Alan of Germantown, New York; a brother-in-law and his wife of New Lebanon, New York; as well as 12 nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Richard Van Tassel.
A funeral service honoring Dr. Van Tassel’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, at the First Baptist Church, 1216 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, 1286 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Mass Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.
To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com
Funeral Service Honoring Dr. Van Tassel's Life
Saturday
March 31, 2012
,
11 a.m.
at
First Baptist Church of Holden
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Saturday
March 31, 2012
,
12:30 p.m.
at
Grove Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
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