Cal State Fullerton’s Schweitzer Dies Unexpectedly at Conference

Dr. Don A. Schweitzer, vice president for academic affairs at California State University, Fullerton, died Friday while at a conference in Washington, apparently of natural causes.

Schweitzer, 52, was found dead in his room Friday morning. He had returned to his hotel room after dinner Thursday night.

President Milton A. Gordon expressed “profound sorrow.”

“As a university community,” he said, “I am sure you join me in extending our deepest condolences to Don’s wife, Julie, and their children, David and Lisa.”

A professor of psychology and a Placentia resident, Schweitzer was the second ranking administrator on the campus.

He became vice president for academic affairs in May of 1992. Previously, he was dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences for 10 years.

Schweitzer joined the Cal State Fullerton faculty in 1969. Four years later, he was named associate dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He became dean of the school in April 1981.

He helped establish the university’s London Semester program, create a Pacific Rim studies program, establish relations with the Autonomous University of Baja California and nurtured the Japanese language program.

In 1988, Schweitzer was appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian to the California Council for the Humanities, an organization charged with overseeing projects that bring humanities-based programs to the state’s residents. In 1990, he became the first gubernatorial appointee elected to head the 26-member group.

Memorial services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Placentia Presbyterian Church.