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Vincent Massey
Vincent Massey, the J. Lawrence Oncley Distinguished University Professor of Biological Chemistry, died Sept. 5, 2002 after a short illness. He was 84.
Ryan was born to Andrew and Edna Burns Ryan. He graduated from the University of Detroit, where he majored in accounting, and subsequently earned his C.P.A. He began work with U-M in April 1959 and retired in Oct. 1985 as the manager of cost reimbursement.
A long-time resident of Ann Arbor, Ryan enjoyed golf, Gilbert and Sullivan musicals at the Mendelssohn Theater, lunches at the North Campus Commons with friends, walks in his Old West Side neighborhood, dinners at the Gandy Dancer and the University community in general. He moved to Phoenix in 1994 where he honed his skills in Scrabble through many games with his sister and nephew.
He is survived by two sisters, Mary of Phoenix and Martha of Boston, and 11 nieces and nephews. He was died Nov. 7, 2002 at his home in La Jolla, Calif. He was 86.
In 1955, Miller, who was then chairman of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago, accepted the invitation of Dr. Raymond Waggoner, chairman of the U-M Medical School Department of Psychiatry, to establish an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to the behavioral sciences, an advanced concept for the time. Miller traced his interests in the merging of biological and social sciences to his undergraduate days as a member of the Harvard Society of Fellows, and to the influence of Alfred Whitehead. At Chicago, Miller was stimulated to integrate the biological and social sciences through discussions with nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi, who felt that such advances were important for the survival of the human race in view of the development of the destructive force of nuclear explosions.
Miller’s ultimate, ambitious goal was to bring a variety of scientists to freely exchange ideas, and to reveal commonalities in the function and information processing of cells, organs, individuals, and societal groups and organizations. Miller brought with him from the University of Chicago the eminent Ralph W. Gerard, a neurophysiologist, and Anatol Rapoport, a mathematical biologist. Later, Robert I. Crane and Richard L. Meier, also from Chicago, joined the group. The broad interdisciplinary nature of the institute was reflected in the areas of expertise of its members, who also were appointed in diverse University units, including the Law School and the departments of political science, psychology, biological chemistry, sociology, urban planning and psychiatry. Miller proposed that “behavioral science” be a part of the institute’s name, but was persuaded by then-President Harlan Hatcher to use the words “mental health” as more suitable for continued financial support for the fledging institute. Miller initiated a new journal entitled “Behavioral Science” at the institute.
Miller left the institute in 1967 to pursue an administrative career, first as provost of the newly founded Cleveland State University, and then in 1973 as president of the University of Louisville, from which position he retired in 1980. Miller was succeeded at the MHRI by the late Gardner Quarton, then by the undersigned, and since 1995, by co-directors Stanley Watson and Huda Akil. Over the years, the institute has remained interdisciplinary but in a more restricted way, emphasizing neuroscience.
In 1978, together with his wife and collaborator Jessie, Miller made the case for a unified approach to the biological, psychological and social sciences in the book “Living Systems,” a compilation and synthesis that he regarded as the capstone of his career, 25 years in the making. Miller was regarded by his colleagues as learned, witty and, at times, controversial. He foresaw the role of computers as academic research tools, presaging the Internet by 10 or 20 years. Miller founded an educational computer network entitled EDUCOM, which eventually was incorporated into EDUNET. Following his move to California he became co-chairman of the Robert Maynard Hutchins Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara, held adjunct professorships at the University of California, Santa Barbara and UC, San Diego, and founded the University of the World, an international educational organization.
He was died in July. They are survived by their sons, Dr. John Miller (Beverly Monts) of Indianapolis and Dr. Thomas Miller (Eleanor) of San Clemente, Calif., and by three grandchildren. Donations are suggested to charitable causes for the homeless, minority education and wildlife preservation.
Emily Gardner
Emily Gardner, retired from U-M since 1984, died Feb. 17, 2003 in DeKalb, Ill. He was 88.
Britton began his career at U-M in 1949 after serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. He began as a lecturer in education and an assistant professor of music. A year later he received his doctoral degree in musicology from U-M and became an associate professor of music. He served as dean from 1971-1979.
"Allen Britton was a masterful dean of the School of Music with a wide range of musical and educational interests," says Karen Wolff, current dean. "I note especially his contribution to our understanding of music practices in early America. It was he who brought to the attention of the scholarly community the uniquely American system of teaching people to read music with shape notes. Indeed, the impetus he gave to the study of American music at the University of Michigan set the stage for the great strength in this field that the school enjoys today. We will long be indebted to his foresight."
Britton was active in various professional and civic organizations, including the Ann Arbor Rotary Club, University Musical Society, Interlochen Center for the Arts and Musical Youth International. He was founding editor of the Journal of Research in Music Education and general editor of the textbook series, "Foundations of Music Education."
He also served on the editorial board of the Music Educators Journal. Britton was the author of more than 100 articles and reviews published in a variety of journals. Among his honors was induction into the Music Educators National Conference Hall of Fame in 1986, awarded for his outstanding contributions to American music education.
"He set the standard for scholarship and research in music education," says Paul Boylan, dean of the School of Music from 1979-2000.
Survivors include his wife, Veronica (Wallace) Britton of DeKalb, a sister, two nieces and two nephews.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Hampshire, Ill .A U-M memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. April 19 in Britton Recital Hall, which was named for the deceased.
Memorial contributions may be made to the School of Music.
Loren (Biff) Barritt
Loren (Biff) Barritt, professor emeritus, School of Education (SoE), born June 21, 1936 in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and moved to the Midwest to attend Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill., in 1954, where he met Marjorie the following year. He received a Ph.D. in educational psychology in 1964 from Indiana University.
Contributions in Barritt's memory may be made to the Jackson Social Welfare Committee of the First Unitarian Universalist Church or to Peace Neighborhood Center, 1111 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48103. The family is planning a memorial picnic at Gallup Park on June 21, which would have been his 67th birthday.
