Paul J. Burgett, former vice president and dean at the University of Rochester, died on August 22 in Rochester, New York, after a brief illness. He was 72 years old.
Dr. Burgett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, where he was student body president. He turned down a fellowship to work on his doctorate after graduation and joined the U.S. Army Reserves were he played tuba in the military band. He returned to the Eastman School of Music where he earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D in the aesthetics of Black music.
Dr. Burgett held many different positions over his 54 years at the University of Rochester. He became dean of students at the Eastman School of Music in 1981 and dean of students for the entire university seven years later. In 2001, Dr. Burgett became university vice president and general secretary of the board of trustees. In addition, he also served as senior advisor to four university presidents throughout his career.
Oh Kay, I am so sorry to read this. I’ve always seen you two as such a vibrant couple. Always loved seeing your missives and pictures from Greece. I hope your retirement together was as happy as I read it to be and that you were somehow prepared for his passing.
Thinking about you with love,
Jan