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Volume 60, Number 11    October 28, 2013         

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In Memoriam

Laura Dean Head
Professor of Africana Studies Laura Head passed away on June 19 at the age of 65. She was born in 1948 and grew up in Oakland, Calif., where she attended K-12 Catholic schools and Holy Names College before transferring to San Francisco State College and earning her B.A. in psychology in 1971. She received her M.A. (1974) and Ph.D. (1977) from the University of Michigan. In 1978, Head returned to SF State where she taught for 35 years.

She also worked as a consultant for the Children and Mothers Parenting Project of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, was a trainer at the Bilingual Teacher Training Institute of the San Francisco Unified School District, served as an instructor at the Wright Institute of Berkeley and in the Black Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of California, Riverside. She participated in countless presentations, publications, radio and television interviews and numerous community service events. Head's professional and volunteer work earned her many commendations and enhanced the lives of thousands of students.

Head always encouraged oppressed people to challenge authority. One of her famous quotes was, "Education = Knowledge. Knowledge = Power. Power = Freedom." Like two of her "sheroes," scholars and educators Ida B. Wells and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Head fought without compromise against all injustice.

She was preceded in death by her mother Helaine Dean Head in 1985 and her grandmother Ollie Mildred Springer in 2002. She is survived by her two sisters, Helaine Dean Head and Della Hamlin, a niece and nephew, an extended family, loyal students and a host of colleagues and friends. A homegoing celebration was held for Head on July 6 in Oakland. View her obituary and guest book online.

Mario D'Angeli
Professor Emeritus of Social Work Mario D'Angeli died peacefully at home, in Stockton, Calif. on Oct. 11. He was 88 years old. D'Angeli taught at SF State from 1953 to 1996, where he served as a faculty member, course and program planner/developer, curriculum innovator, researcher, writer, administrator, community organizer, advisor and trouble-shooter. He helped establish, build and maintain the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Master of Social Work degree programs. After leaving SF State, he taught at CSU Stanislaus for another 10 years before retiring to spend more time writing a book on democratic therapy.

D'Angeli was born to Italian immigrants in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925, grew up during the Great Depression and served as a medic during World War II. Using the GI Bill, he earned a B.A. (1949) and an M.S.S.A. (1951) at Case Western Reserve University before moving to California. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florence in 1963.

He believed in free speech, the power of rational argument, scientific inquiry, healthy skepticism and political action, and he strove to improve the world by advocating for peace and social justice, promoting better relationships, the power of positive self-talk and "how to disagree agreeably." D'Angeli also worked with the San Joaquin Peace and Justice Network, MoveOn.org and the Stockton Concerned Citizen's Group.

D'Angeli is survived by his wife, Jeanne DeWilde D'Angeli, three daughters, an adopted son, two sisters, seven grandchildren, two ex-wives, a brother-in-law and many friends. His life will be celebrated in his home on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 6 p.m. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice in lieu of flowers. View his full obituary and guest book. A complete obituary will be included in the National Association of Social Workers November 2013 newsletter.

 


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