Donald L. Gephardt

Donald Louis Gephardt passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. He was the son of Loreen and Louis Gephardt. Don was a beloved husband, father and a highly respected colleague at Rowan University where he served as Dean of Fine and Performing Arts for 19 years. He was Interim Provost for two years and was highly influential in the establishment of the College of Engineering at what was then Glassboro State College. Prior to his position at Rowan, Don was Dean of Instruction at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. Don held graduate degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Don was a clarinetist and an educator who was passionate about the importance of the arts in developing students into global citizens who could contribute to their communities. As President of the International Conference of Fine Arts Deans, he led the development of K-12 standards for integration of arts education in schools. He has been published in several music education journals. Don has contributed to Young Audiences and several other arts organizations and has served on their boards of directors. He played clarinet with the Lyric Winds Quintet of New Jersey.

Don is survived by his wife, Zenaida Otero and her children Elena and Xavier Otero Keil. He is also survived by daughter Lisa and her husband Bill Sheerin, their children Irene and Jayshawn; son Frank and his wife Ann-Marie, and their daughters Julie, Jaclyn and Sarah. Don is also survived by his children’s mother Nancy, brother Dick and his wife Jane, their children Matt, Chrissy and Katie and their families.

Don was a compassionate, caring and loving man. He will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement Tammy Cavarretta, Director of Development for University Initiatives, Campus Box 1060, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4899 or https://gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/contribute/