Obituary: Gary Stern

CU Denver colleagues are remembering Emeritus Psychology Professor Gary Stern, who died Dec. 31, 2014, at his home in Littleton. He was 75.

Stern joined CU in 1969 when the Denver location as an extension division. He was an early advocate for CU Denver attaining status as a campus in the CU system, and he was among the first professors to he hired after the Psychology Department was established.

Psychology Department Chair Peter Kaplan said, “Gary served on our faculty with distinction for nearly 40 years, including as department chair. He founded and led the Social Psychophysiology Lab, and was widely known as an outstanding teacher and mentor. He was a very bright guy – witty and engaging -- and students really loved him.”

Stern was honored with the CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Excellence in Teaching Award in 1987.

On a personal note, Kaplan said, “Gary hailed from the Bronx, New York — as a fellow Bronxite, I would often reminisce with him about the ‘good old days’ on Gun Hill Road. He will be missed. “

Stern is survived by his sons Nicholas and Michael Stern.

At his request, no service will be held. Those wishing to remember Stern may send a donation to CCFA: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation; National Processing Center; Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts; P.O. Box 1245; Albert Lea, MN  56007-9976 http://online.ccfa.org/site/PageNavigator/Honor_Memorials.”