Alan J. Wyner, 1941-2014

Emeritus Professor Alan J. Wyner passed away on April 16, 2014. Born October 26, 1941 in Cleveland Ohio, Al Wyner attended Northwestern University, receiving his B.A. in 1964, and The Ohio State University, earning his PhD in 1967.  While at Ohio State, Al specialized in political behavior focusing on organizational, legislative, and electoral behavior. 

Alan Wyner joined the Department of Political Science at the University of California Santa Barbara in 1968 and became a well-loved member of the faculty.  During his tenure as a professor, he taught courses on public administration, environmental politics, California politics and government, and American government and politics.  His “fascination with the way government implements policy and the art of democratic compromise” is reflected in his research on legislative politics and the mechanism of policy implementation, including natural hazards policy and the political role of water in California.  Throughout his time as a member of the faculty, Al Wyner was recognized for his commitment to students and his excellence in teaching.   He received several awards along those lines, including the Plous Memorial Award for Outstanding Assistant Professor in 1974, the Professor of the Year Award given by the Mortar Board Honors Society in 1986, the Outstanding Faculty Award given by the UCSB Office of Residential Life in 1995, and the Getman Service to Students Award in 2008.   

After serving as Assistant Dean and then Acting Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Letters and Science at UCSB, Al Wyner was named Dean of Undergraduate Studies in March of 2000, a role in which he served with skill and compassion until his retirement in June 2008.  In announcing Dean Wyner’s retirement, Chancellor Yang cited his “exceptional leadership” in establishing the Freshman Summer Start Program as well as his support for the Freshman Seminar Program and the College of Letters and Science Honors Program. 

Throughout his life, Alan Wyner was very involved in professional activities and service in his community.  His professional activities included serving on: the Council of Deans for the University of California, the Task Force on California Nuclear Emergency Response, the National Academy of Science Panel on Research Needs on Socio-Economic Consequences of Earthquake Prediction, and the National Academy of Science Working Group on Earthquake Engineering Research.  He gave testimonies in local, state, and national government on issues related to seismic safety and earthquakes.  He also played an active role in local government, serving in various capacities, including elected office.  He served as the Board President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.

Those of us who knew Al Wyner will remember him for his kindness to his friends, his coworkers, his students, and everyone with whom he came in contact.  He was a warm, charming man.  We will miss him.

A funeral will be held for Alan Wyner on Friday, April 18 at 1:00 pm at Congregation B’Nai B’rith. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm.