Jude West, a long-time University of Iowa business professor, former interim vice president, and champion of Iowa non-profit organizations, died Monday, April 13 at the age of 84.

A public memorial luncheon celebrating West’s life will be held Friday, April 17, at noon at the University Club, 1360 Melrose Ave.

West began his career at UI in 1963 as a faculty member in the Tippie College of Business’ Department of Management & Organizations. Known as the “Henry Kissinger of the University of Iowa,” he was highly regarded for his expertise in facilitating strategic planning processes and mediating conflicts within organizations across campus.

West also helped to create the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center in 2000 in the College of Law. Working with law professor and emeritus president Willard “Sandy” Boyd, West helped develop the center from an idea to a vibrant organization that provides training for nonprofit leaders that range from fundraising to organizational effectiveness. The Resource Center helps between 200 and 300 Iowa non-profit organizations in a typical year.

“Jude West loved people and they loved him, and he leaves a legacy of service to others,” says Boyd.

He retired in May of 2001 but continued to serve the university and the community as interim director of the Nonprofit Resource Center while Boyd served as interim president of the university in 2002-2003, and as interim vice president of strategic communications in 2008-09. He was also a faculty member in the Tippie Executive MBA Program.

"I have been impressed by how many alumni I have met that have fondly remembered Jude West," explains Tippie College of Business Dean Sarah Fisher Gardial. "He was beloved and had a personal impact on so many of his students. Personally, when I came to Iowa, Jude took the time to meet with me, share his wisdom and counsel, and provide insights that have been so helpful. He didn't have to do that, but he did because he has always had this institution and its people at heart."

West grew up in Chicago, and among his earliest memories were the blackouts in his residential neighborhood in the week’s following the start of World War II.

“I can remember my parents and me sitting around the radio (after the attack on Pearl Harbor) and we just plain listened, thinking, ‘Wow, we’re really at war.’ And I can remember asking, ‘Where’s Japan? Where’s Hawaii?’” he said in 2011. “Almost immediately, my parents started pulling down the shades in our apartment at night to keep the light from getting out. The government told us to do that so the Germans couldn’t send a bomber over and see Chicago from the sky. I didn’t think the Germans had a plane that could get to Chicago. If they did, I was pretty sure it wouldn’t make it back home.”

West earned his Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary of the Lake College in Mundelin, Illinois, in 1953, his Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago in 1961, and doctorate from the UI in 1969.

He received many awards in his career including teaching awards from Executive MBA students, the Hancher-Finkbine Faculty Medallion, the Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service, and the Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award from the UI Alumni Association. He had long been committed to various social organizations and served on the advisory board of Systems Unlimited. His community efforts have been recognized with such accolades as the Benjamin Franklin Philanthropy Award, the Iowa City Human Rights Isabel Turner Award, and induction into the ARC of Southwest Iowa Hall of Fame.

"Jude West was a long-time colleague and trusted friend," says emeritus dean and former UI interim president Gary Fethke. "Over the years of our relationship, Jude provided innumerable constructive suggestions to help me become a better administrator. These 'improvements' were always offered with a smile, personal affection, and the very best of intentions. Sometimes, I even listened. We will miss this good man who cared greatly about our university."