John TePaske

PASKE John Jay TePaske, age 78, died December 1 at Duke Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Leona TePaske of Grand Rapids. He is survived by his wife, Neomi; and two daughters, Susan Tepaske-King (Bert) Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marianna Daly (Tim) Asheville, North Carolina; and brother, Robert of Grand Rapids. Jack attended Ottawa Hills High School, received his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and Masters and Ph.D. in history from Duke University where he taught colonial Latin American history for over 30 years. His long and distinguished career saw the publication of 15 books and many articles in scholarly journals. He received many awards and recognitions including a Guggenheim fellowship. He was known for his exhaustive research, spending much time in the archives of Spain and Latin America. He was much loved by his undergraduate and graduate students at Duke. His passions were tennis, Duke basketball, his loyal dog, Rosebud, and his home on Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan. Jack left many friends in Grand Rapids, who were blessed by the opportunity to spend time with Jack and Neomi this past August at the 60th Reunion of the Ottawa Hills Class of 1947. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Goodson Chapel, Duke University, on January 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. Contributions to his memory may be made to the Duke University Libraries, Box 90193, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708.