Position:
Education Faculty
TO: University Faculty and Staff
FROM: Thomas J. Switzer, Dean, College of Education
DATE: March 2, 1988
Professor Emeritus Wayne P. Truesdell passed away at Sartori Hospital, Cedar Falls, on Sunday evening, February 28, 1988, following an extended illness. A memorial service was held at the First United Methodist Church, 723 Washington Street, Cedar Falls at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 2. Dr. Truesdell is survived by his wife, Rosina, two daughters, and a son.
Dr. Truesdell (1908-1988) joined the University of Northern Iowa faculty in 1967 and retired in 1976 after nine years of service to the University and forty-six years to education in Iowa. Prior to his tenure at UNI as an Associate Professor (1967-74) and Professor (1974-76) of Social Foundations of Education and School Administration, he served as a teacher in Latimer, Iowa, 1927-29; Principal and Superintendent in Ottosen, Iowa, 1929-42; Superintendent in Kanawha, Iowa, 1942-43; Superintendent in Colo, Iowa, 1946-53; Superintendent in Titonka, Iowa, 1953-60; Superintendent in Maynard, Iowa, 1960-64; and Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, 1965-67.
Dr. Truesdell's distinguished service to the public schools in Iowa is legendary. His extensive research in the area of school finance is well known within the state and nation. The research and development of several models for the financing of Iowa schools, surveys on population and enrollment trends of Iowa schools, and a variety of research projects on school administrative and organizational needs of Iowa schools, are the most notable during his tenure at the University. He was instrumental in the formulation of the first state aid equalization formula in Iowa. Dr. Truesdell's contributions as a professor in the specialty areas of school administration and school finance are reflected in his membership and participation in state and national professional organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators, Iowa Association of School Administrators, Iowa Division of Rural Education, and several State Department of Public Instruction planning committees.
He was a longstanding member of Phi Delta Kappa and a very active member of the UNI chapter, serving for fourteen years as Secretary-Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and Delegate to biennial and district conferences.
Wayne was a native of Iowa and received his B. A. from Iowa State Teachers College and his M. A. and Ph. D. from the University of Iowa. Contributions are being accepted for the Wayne P. Truesdell/PDK Scholarship, Dr. Sherry Gable, Treasurer, 609 Education Center, UNI.