T0: The University and Regional Community
FROM: Dr. Larry Kavich, Head, Educational Psychology and Foundations
DATE: April 21, 1989
We were informed this morning that Dr. Gordon Rhum died last night in his sleep from a long terminal illness. The funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 1989, at Dahl Van Hove, Schoof Funeral Home. Gordon and Doris Rhum recently moved from their permanent residence to an apartment at Willow Wood Unit 13, 1100 Grove Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. You may wish to write Doris at this address.
Gordon was a faculty member and administrator at UNI from 1948 to 1988. He began his career as an instructor from 1948-59, then moved to his position of coordinator of Research and Evaluation from 1959-68, Acting and Dean of the Graduate College from 1968-76, and began his professorial work in this department in 1976. He retired in 1985. During his interim period, he was the Acting Dean of the College of Education from 1980-81. After retiring, he maintained a steady role of teaching off-campus until fall of 1988.
Among his various roles as a professional in testing and related activities for the American College Testing Program, he served as a State representative for higher education institutions in Iowa from 1966-82. He also served on the Board of Trustees from 1972-88. During his numerous summer appointments, he taught at Michigan State University and California State University-Los Angeles. His role in projects, programs, grants, and activities were numerous and were worldwide in scope, including being a recent member of the Board of Examiners for Ph. D. theses at the University of Calcutta. It also should be noted that he gave the commencement address at UNI on "Powers and Choices" in July 1981.
Gordon was an Iowan, through and through, graduating from Wayland High School, Wayland, Iowa, in 1931, Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant in 1935 with a B. A. in mathematics, and receiving his M. A. and Ph. D. from the University of Iowa respectively in 1938 and 1949 in Educational Administration, and Measurement and Statistics.
Among his professional and academic associations/awards were the following: Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association American Educational Research Association National Council on Measurement in Education Iowa Academy of Science National Education Association Phi Delta Kappa - Outstanding Kappan Award, 1977-78 University of Northern Iowa Alumni Service Award, 1977 Iowa Schoolmasters, Walt Whitman Club.
Personally, Gordon has been a valued teacher and administrator. The faculty and staff of this department deeply appreciated his dedication, sincerity, and positive attitude from the beginning of his work until he became seriously ill last fall. He was always pleasant and cheerful in his manner with people, and a master teacher. His former students frequently commented on his contribution to their professional work. We can all reflect on his outstanding teaching and administrative talents, his long career as a high school basketball referee, and most recently as a master of ceremonies for the UNI annual retirement breakfast. Last fall he was inducted into the Iowa Boys' Basketball Referee Hall of Fame.
We extend our appreciation and condolences to Doris and Gordon's family. We gratefully acknowledge that Gordon made a lasting favorable impression upon all his colleagues, students, and friends at UNI and in the community since 1949. Gordon was truly a model for all of us to emulate.
In Loving Memory of DR. GORDON J. RHUM
Gordon J. Rhum was born on August 20, 1914, in Wayland, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Emma (Cox) Rhum. He graduated from Wayland High School in 1931 and received a B. A. in mathematics from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1935. In 1938 he earned an M .A. in School Administration, and in 1949 a Ph. D. in Educational Measurement and Statistics, both from the University of Iowa. He came to Cedar Falls in 1948 as Instructor in the Department of Education at Iowa State Teachers College. Gordon was married to Doris Anderson on May 29, 1938, at Central Methodist Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; one daughter. Cyndi (Mrs. Michael) Anthony of Belle Plaine, Iowa; one son, Tim Rhum of Lynden, Washington; one sister, Leora (Mrs. Walter) Sauerteig of Belle Plaine; and one granddaughter, Angela Anthony. He was preceded in death by his parents. Gordon J. Rhum entered into rest on April 20, 1989, at his home, after a short illness with cancer.
Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home