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Date of death August 16, 2010
Tad Kuroda, professor emeritus of history
Tadahisa (Tad) Kuroda, professor emeritus of history at Skidmore College, passed away Aug. 16, 2010, in Fairfax, Va. He was 69 years old.
Born Sept. 10, 1940, in New York City, he was the son of the Honorable Otoshiro and Mei Kuroda. He spent his childhood years in New York City, later moving to Philadelphia and attending Central High School there. He graduated from Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and later received his master’s degree and doctorate from Columbia University in New York.
A graduate of Yale University with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, Tad joined the Skidmore faculty in 1969, earning over the years a reputation for excellence in teaching and scholarship. A specialist in early American history, he was selected in 1991 as the Edwin M. Moseley Faculty Research Lecturer, the highest honor that the faculty can bestow upon one of its own. In 2001, Tad was named first incumbent of the David H. Porter Chair at Skidmore College. In recognition of his superior teaching, he received the 2004-05 Ralph Ciancio Award for Teaching Excellence.
From 1993 to 1998, Tad served as associate dean of the faculty and prior to that as History Department chair. As associate dean, he chaired the task force that developed plans for our Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. Among his notable leadership roles, Tad was a member of the search committee that brought classicist and musician David Porter to Skidmore as our fifth president in 1987.
"Tad was a fine scholar and remarkable teacher known for his extraordinary service to the campus community," said Porter. "People wondered how on earth he did everything he was able to do at the College." Porter noted that Tad was often sought after by College committees because of "his wisdom and the fact that his view of the College was so comprehensive." Porter also recalls long conversations with him about baseball, a passion they shared.
"Tad was known for his compassion and integrity, his reasonableness and courage," said Phyllis Roth, who served as dean of the faculty when Tad was associate dean. Roth commented that at tense moments or during heated discussion at faculty meetings, "Tad would rise and give a historical perspective and analysis and would lead us to see things more sanely and productively." She added that "he was fabulously well-organized."
In her tribute to Tad upon his retirement in May 2005, Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Kress wrote,
"We shall miss every part of his institutional identity: the inspired teaching in classes from LS and History 107 to advanced level-colloquia; the thoughtful and influential scholarship; and the gifted service. And of those three, the last is perhaps the most remarkable. For some of us, service runs a distant third to the things we really care about: teaching and scholarship. For Tad, service has been nothing short of an art. In policy committees, search committees, review committees, study groups, and task forces, Tad has taught us how to conduct our business with grace and intelligence. No one has done it better.
After Tad left his faculty position, I continued to seek his advice from time to time. Invariably, he responded generously, thoughtfully, and helpfully. Above all, his comments always reflected both his wisdom and the deepest concern for the welfare of the College and everyone associated with it. Tad was a true gentleman, in the best sense of that word – a person who respected the dignity and humanity of all with whom he came in contact. He reminded us, through his comportment, of the highest aspirations embedded within the concepts of teacher, scholar, and colleague."
Tad is survived by his wife Akiko, and his children, Stephanie and Timothy, and their families.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, in Gannett Auditorium with a reception immediately following the service. Contributions in Tad’s memory may be made to the Kuroda Symposium Fund, c/o the Office of Advancement at Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866.
Source: ScopeOnline Skidmore College – Posted 9/9/2010
Click here to view a letter written by Tad to Barry Ivker and Barry's comments
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