Obituary for Donald G. Zauderer Donald G. Zauderer Professor Emeritus Donald G. Zauderer, 77, an authority on leadership and ethics and a professor emeritus at American University in Washington D.C, died on November 26, 2018. He had courageously battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia for close to 39 years. Dr. Zauderer was a devoted father, husband, son and grandfather.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Judy Polster Zauderer of North Bethesda, daughters Karin Zauderer of London, United Kingdom, and Laura Zauderer Baldwin of Atlanta, Georgia, son-in law, Grant Baldwin and grandson Aaron Baldwin. Dr. Zauderer received a BS degree in political science and history from Ohio State University, an MS in Political Science at Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science and Economics at Indiana University. A faculty member at American University for thirty-two years (1970-2002), Dr. Zauderer co-developed and directed the Key Executive Leadership Program and the Master’s Degree in Organization Development, receiving the university’s Award for Academic Program Development.
He also served as Program Director of the Master of Public Administration Program. He was a beloved professor due to his commitment to his students, his passion for quality education and push for meaningful dialogue. His students honored his leadership by both establishing a scholarship in his name and planting a legacy tree and monument on the American University campus.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Zauderer published a number of well-respected articles that explored issues of character, integrity, and civility in the workplace. His article on “Leadership Lessons from World Class Coaches” is widely used in coaching clinics at all levels. Upon retiring from American University, Don became a Senior Advisor at the Brookings Institution, where he developed and directed the Mastering the Art of Public Leadership Program.
Dr. Zauderer always said that he was put on this earth to teach. He was a skilled and caring teacher who brought out the best in his students. His knowledge, wry sense of humor and emphasis on collegiality, intellectual discourse, and respectful sharing of diverse ideas helped create a dynamic and focused atmosphere for deep learning in the classroom.
His commitment to public service will also live on through his influence on various boards and committees in the region including Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, DC Bar Ethics Committee, the Ethics Panel of the Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Board of Editors of the Public Manager Journal. Dr. Zauderer also had a thriving consulting practice serving many federal agencies, non-profit and private sector organizations in which he helped leaders carry out their mission with high integrity. Don was deeply committed to his family, friends and community.
He is forever grateful to his devoted wife and family, his medical team and cancer researchers that continually gave him hope as well as many others that supported him along his journey. Anyone that came into Don’s life was forever touched by his values, humor, caring, curiosity, and unsolicited guidance. He was energized by stimulating conversations, music, books, history, politics and movies—and recently a passion for playing the ukulele.
Contributions may be made to the Donald G. Zauderer Key Executive Leadership Scholarship at American University securelb. imodules.com/s/1395/rd17/giving-2col. aspx?
sid=1395&gid=1&pgid=5701&cid=9061&dids=74&bledit=1&sort=1 or the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, both in Washington, DC. smithcenter.org/donate/ To send a memorial gift to the family of Donald G. Zauderer please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Temple Service , NOV 28.
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