Criss Library Archives
Former philosophy professor spent 30 years at UNO
Duane Willard: A life examined he unexamined life,” said Socrates, “is not worth liv-
“Ting.” When L. Duane Willard, professor emeritus of
Philosophy, passed away this October, he knew well the value of an examined life. During his 30 years at UNO, Willard's teaching, research, and community service all demonstrated a willingness to ask the right questions and face the honest answers. Willard taught Introduction to Philosophy, Logic, Introduction to Ethics, History of Ancient Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Business Ethics, Contemporary Ethical Theories, and Environmental Ethics. Former colleague and department chair Dr. William Blizek recalls, “Duane was for many years one of UNO's favorite teachers. Duane genuinely liked his students and he worked hard to make each student successful. Duane’s love of philosophy was infectious and he passed the excitement of philosophy on to his students.” tor to the larger Omaha and Nebraska communities. He His writings explored questions of value and ethics in was a panelist for “Functions of a Free Press” and “Do areas as diverse as the environment, animal rights and Newsmedia Tell the Truth” for the Nebraska Committee medicine. He was published in the Journal of Value for the Humanities. Inquiry; Philosophy Research Archives; Bicentennial He was a featured speaker for the Nebraska Committee Symposium of Philosophy: Contributed Papers, Dialogue, Business and Professional Ethics; Journal of Medicine and for the Humanities, Omaha Optimist Club and Kiwanis Club. He was a panelist for The Riverfront Forum in 1975. Philosophy; Environmental Ethics; Westminster Institute He was producer of the TV Classroom, Review; Profits and Professions; “Philosophy at Work” for KMTV and Philosophy and Public Affairs; and, KYNE-TV in 1974 and a speaker on Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical “Rights in the ’80s -- Religious Rights” Review. for the TV Classroom in 1982. He served Willard’s service to the UNO comon an advisory committee on drug munity included time on the UNO dependency for Omaha Awareness in Animal Welfare Committee, the Action in 1974. Educational Policy and Honors Willard earned AB degrees from Program Committees, the Dean's Tennessee Temple College in Voice and Advisory Committee, UNO Faculty Baylor University in Philosophy. He Senate, UNO Adjudicatory Committee received his master’s in divinity in 1961 and the Academic Vice-Chancellor's from Midwestern Baptist Theological Task Force on University Requirements. Seminary and an MS (ABD) in philosoHe also served as chair of the phy in 1964 from the University of Department of Philosophy and Religion Wisconsin-Madison. and President of the UNO Chapter of After his retirement in 1993, Willard the American Association of University F o rm er D u an e W i l l a rd moved to Branson, Mo. He passed away Professors. Coll eague Dr. W ill i a m B l i z ek after a long illness on Oct. 11, 2007. Willard also was an active contribu-
“Duane was for many years one of UNO’s favorite teachers. Duane genuinely liked his students and he worked hard to make each student successful.”
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Winter 2007 • 41