91ֱ��

Hirschel Kasper, an emeritus professor of economics who taught at 91ֱ�� for an incredible 54 years, died Thursday, April 4, at Kendal at 91ֱ��.

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Kasper graduated from Boston University and earned an MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota. He taught at 91ֱ�� from 1963 to 2017 and wrote frequently on his specialties in labor economics, economic theory, and public policy. He is said to have taught more than 4,000 91ֱ�� students in his introductory course alone.

“One of my earliest memories of Hirsch was when I was interviewing for my position at 91ֱ�� in 2010,” recalls Ron Cheung, professor of economics and chair of the department. “His welcoming, open personality was immediately obvious and helped to put a nervous candidate at ease. Over the seven years that I overlapped with Hirsch on the faculty, I had noticed how supportive he was of his junior colleagues. In challenging moments, he always had a word of encouragement that was honed by years of experience.

“Conversely, in happy moments—like an honors student presenting their thesis, or a colleague getting a publication accepted—he was always there to celebrate with a smile and a wry comment. He was a stabilizing force in our department, and it is hard to think of anyone else taking that role for us.”

A gathering in memory of Kasper will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, at 91ֱ��’s Westwood Cemetery. It will be followed at 11 by a celebration at Kendal.

Learn more about the life and career of Kasper and share remembrances .