Belk College remembers Dr. William Wubben, 1924-2008

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Dr. William D. Wubben, professor emeritus of economics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, died May 2, 2008 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. He had been a resident of The Pines at Davidson since 1988.

Dr. Wubben was born in Chicago on September 14, 1924, the only child of William and Edna Wubben. He was a victim of polio in his childhood, but his life was a testimony of how faith, courage, and determination can overcome obstacles. Despite growing up and entering adulthood during a time when special accommodations for the handicapped were unavailable, he earned undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Political Economy from Claremont University College (now Claremont Graduate University) in California.

Dr. Wubben moved to the Charlotte area in 1958 to join the faculty of Pfeiffer College and subsequently taught at Davidson College from 1960 to 1963. He joined the faculty at UNC Charlotte in 1964, when it was transformed from Charlotte College under the direction of the late Dr. Bonnie Cone.

Dr. Wubben served as the first chairman of the Department of Economics and Business prior to the founding of the College of Business in 1971, and then served as chair of the Department of Economics from 1971 to 1976.

Upon Dr. Wubben’s retirement in 1988, a conference room in the Friday Building was named in his honor, in recognition of his leadership in forming and strengthening the Belk College of Business.

His faith was an important part of Dr. Wubben’s life. A life long Lutheran, he joined Advent Lutheran Church shortly after its founding in 1969 and remained a member until his death.

Dr. Wubben is survived by a cousin, LeAnna Grell of Arizona, and the many students and friends whose lives he touched.

A memorial service celebrating Dr. Wubben’s life will be held Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Advent Lutheran Church, 8840 University City Blvd.Friends will gather at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Wubben’s memory may be directed to Advent Lutheran Church (8840 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28213) or to the Department of Economics at UNC Charlotte (c/o UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223).