Obituary
Chancellor Ann M. Lydecker
May 6, 1944 – March 25, 2004
Ann M. Lydecker was born in Adrian, Michigan on May 6, 1944. She was
the 3rd of seven children born to Lloyd and Alberta Ruesink and grew up
on the family dairy farm. She attended a 1-room country school from kindergarten
through 8th grade and was the only student in her class.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology (1966) and an M.A.T.
degree in elementary education (1972), both from Oberlin College in Ohio.
Her doctorate in curriculum and instruction was from the University of
Michigan (1982).
Her lifelong commitment to education included teaching 6th grade in Oberlin,
Ohio; teaching in the Education Department at Gustavus Adolphus College;
serving as Professor and Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Department
at Mankato State University; and serving as Founding Dean of the School
of Education and Professional Studies at Bridgewater State College in
Massachusetts. She then served as Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs at Bridgewater State College. Dr. Lydecker was appointed the 14th
Chancellor at UW-River Falls, August 1, 2000 and was the first woman to
serve in that role.
Dr. Lydecker was extensively involved in educational reform initiatives
at local, state, and national levels. She wrote extensively and gave many
professional presentations on such topics as teacher testing, leadership,
school-university partnerships, technology in teacher education, educational
transformation, multicultural education and community-based programming.
Her service to the River Falls community, the St. Croix Valley region,
the University of Wisconsin System, the State of Wisconsin and the nation
was extensive. A few recent examples of her constant commitment to service
included:
- Participating actively in the American Council on Education, the American
Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Association
of Higher Education, the American Association of Colleges of Teacher
Education, and Phi Delta Kappa, the education honor society.
- Serving as consultant-evaluator for the New England Association of
State Colleges and Universities, the National Council for the Accreditation
of Teacher Education, and the North Central Association
- Serving on the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, the
UW-System Inclusivity Advisory Board (chair), the UW Teacher Education
Task Force (co-chair), and the UW System Enrollment/Allocation subgroup.
- Participating in the River Falls Economic Development Commission,
the Girl Scout Council of the St. Croix Valley (Board of Directors),
the KinnicFalls ADA (Board of Directors), and River Falls Lions Club.
In recent years, she had traveled internationally to build education
and service initiatives with educational and development organizations
in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.
Chancellor Lydecker is survived by her husband, Dr. William Lydecker,
a retired clinical psychologist, who taught at Gustavus Adolphus College;
two sons, Dr. J. Martin Favor, Plainfield, New Hampshire, and Richard
Favor of River Falls; two stepsons, Peter Lydecker of Minneapolis and
Andrew Lydecker of Memphis, TN; two grandchildren, Mitchell and Clayton
Favor, and her father, Lloyd Ruesink of Adrian, MI. Survivors also include
her brothers and sisters: Albert (Kathy) Ruesink (Bloomington, IN), Bruce
(Lelani) Ruesink, Three Rivers, MI, and Priscilla (Ray) Jackson, Virginia
Clark, and James (Sue) Ruesink, all of Adrian, MI. She was preceded in
death by her mother, Alberta Ruesink, and her brother, Robert Ruesink.
Ann Lydecker was a warm, open, engaging individual who had an unwavering
commitment to improving the lives of individuals through education. Her
contributions to higher education, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls,
the University of Wisconsin System, the region, state and nation have
been immeasurable.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, Monday, March 29, 2004 in
Karges Center.
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