Remembering Professor Don Phares.
Don Phares, scholar, researcher, teacher, urbanist, university administrator, sports fan, father, friend, and colleague died peacefully at his home in St. Louis, MO, on June 27, 2015. Don received his BA in Economics from Northeastern University and both an MA and PhD in Economics from Syracuse University. He joined the UMSL Department of Economics in 1969 and served the department for over 30 years. While he formally retired in 2003, he continued his association with UMSL on a part-time basis and remained research active long into retirement.
Don was instrumental in the early development of the department. He provided important input into the hiring of new research faculty, the development of the Master’s program, and the introduction of the Bachelor of Science degree. Along with the standard micro and macro courses, Don’s teaching focused on Urban Economics and State and Local Public Finance, which he taught at both the graduate and undergraduate level. He inspired many students, some of whom went on to obtain PhD degrees in Urban Economics and Public Finance, and many others who took positions as policy analysts in government.
Former student, Jerry Evensky (MA 1979), Professor of Economics and Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence at Syracuse University, shared the following remembrance: “Don was instrumental - by his warm, thoughtful, nurturing and professional support - in shaping the trajectory of my career. I am eternally grateful to him and for him.”
Despite the many other administrative claims on his time from various entities on campus, Don was always there when the department had a need. He served as department chair and often taught courses when he had other administrative assignments.
Don’s commitment to UMSL extended well beyond our department. He held a joint faculty appointment in the Public Policy Administration Program. Further, he was a central figure in the history and development of the Public Policy Research Center (PPRC). Among his roles, he served as Director of the Center for Metropolitan Studies, one of the three unit that later became the PPRC. As emeritus professor, he continued to be involved in PPRC activities. Don also served as vice chancellor. His contributions were widely recognized and highly valued. In 1997, he received the University of Missouri Thomas Jefferson Award. This award, only one of which is made per year, is presented to faculty members who “rise above excellence and demonstrate clear distinction in teaching, research, and service to the University
of Missouri and humankind.”
Don was an expert urban economist, specifically focusing on the greater St. Louis area, which made him a sought after source to be quoted and interviewed by local and national media. Don served as an expert witness in legal cases pertaining to state and local taxation and economic trends. He also conducted numerous economic and fiscal impact studies for both public and private organizations. In 1987, he supervised the research staff for the state constitutionally-mandated governmental reorganization study of St. Louis City and County. Don authored or edited six books, including “Who Pays State and Local Taxes?” and most recently in 2009, Governing Metropolitan Regions in the Twenty-First Century.
He also wrote more than eighty articles and book chapters and scores of technical and government reports. Among his professional service activities, Don served as coeditor of Urban Affairs Quarterly from 1985 to 1989. He stepped down from that role when he became vice chancellor. Don was also very active in the Urban Affairs Association (UAA); in 2013, he was inducted into the UAA Service Honor Roll.
Don’s contributions to the Department and the University will long be remembered. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and former students. Bob Sorensen, Herb Werner, Don Phares at the Economics Fall Picnic in September 2014 Don in the 1980s