Colleagues,

I share with you the sad news that Howard Handelman, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, passed away on September 8, 2018.  This news was shared with us by Howard’s family and by Chair Kathleen Dolan in the Department of Political Science.

Dr. Handelman was a member of the Political Science Department from 1970 to 2006, serving as Chair from 1986-89 and from 2003-05.  He served as acting Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese from 1992-93 and in 2000.  He was the Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies from 1994 to 1999.

Dr. Handelman received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and did his dissertation on peasant political mobilization in Peru.  At UW-Milwaukee, he taught a variety of courses in comparative politics.  He was a dedicated teacher who inspired countless students to become interested in politics and the world.  He led study abroad programs and student tours in London, Chile, Mexico and Cuba.  His textbooks The Challenge of Third World Development, as well as Politics in a Changing World, which he co-authored with UWM Professor Emeritus Dr. Marcus Ethridge, were both reissued multiple times and were used in colleges and universities around the country.

Dr. Handelman and his wife, Dr. Kristin Ruggiero, UWM Professor Emerita in History, endowed the Ruggiero-Handelman Field Research Award.  The award is given to worthy UWM graduate and undergraduates to support field research in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Howard’s family shared his obituary and that a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 6, at noon at the Hefter Conference Center, 3271 N. Lake Drive in Milwaukee. His son, Michael, can be reached at michaelhandelman@me.com with any questions.

Our condolences to Howard’s family and to the many others whose lives he touched.

Take care,

Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs