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Online Obituaries for the Indianapolis IN Area

Mr. James Robert East

June, 22, 1931 - September, 10, 2008

Dr. James R. East
James East was internationally recognized innovator in higher education. Professor and Dean Emeritus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), James East was born on a farm in Paragon, Indiana, on July 22,1931, to the late Madison Odell East and Pervie Edether East. He died in Indianapolis at the age of 77 on September 10, 2008. He had lived in Indianapolis since 1967. Prior to that, he taught at two liberal arts colleges in Iowa for six years. Before coming to Iowa, he taught at San Francisco State University where he was on tenure. Prior to that, he taught three years at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) in 1953 in English and Latin, and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in rhetoric and public address from Stanford University in 1958 and 1960, respectively. Professor East spent most of his teaching career at IUPUI: 29 years. There, he served as Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, as Acting Dean of Liberal Arts, and as a long-time Dean of IUPUl's Weekend College and Off-Campus credit programs. He was recognized internationally as an innovator in higher education. He was the worldwide originator and developer of the concept of offering college-credit courses and degree programs in shopping centers, called Learn & Shop. He also created and served as Dean of IUPUl's Weekend College, the world's largest, in which college courses are offered on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. For thirty-three years, he served as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis until 2006. Survivors: wife of 38 years, Marilyn B. East; daughters Allegra Lynn East and Deidre East Guerrettaz; sons Guy Madison East and Gregory James East; stepdaughter Sara Shapiro Davis; stepsons David Paul Shapiro and Timothy Scott Shapiro; six grandsons and seven granddaughters; four step-grandsons and two step-granddaughters. For thirteen years prior to her death in 1967, he was married to the late Allegra Young East who was the mother of their four children. His three siblings preceded him in death: Bernadine Phillips, Ruby Scruggs, and Paul East. Visitation will be held Monday September 15, 2008 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church where he was a long-time elder from 1968 until his death. Memorial services will follow in the sanctuary at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Indiana Community Foundation for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis James R. East Endowed Scholarship Fund or to the Indiana University Foundation for the James R. East Endowed Scholarship in the I.U. School of Liberal Arts. For a complete obituary, go to the following Internet site: http://www.jreast.blogspot.com Arrangements entrusted to Crown Hill Funeral Home, condolences: www.crownhill.org