To University of Memphis graduate student Wallace Starke,biology professor and former faculty senate president Dr. WilliamH.N. "Bill" Gutzke, was more than a professor.
"He was much more than an adviser and professor to me," Starkesaid. "He was a friend."
Gutzke, 54, died of a heart attack April 27, leaving behind aloving legacy at The U of M.
Often wearing blue jeans and T-shirts, longhaired at times andsporting an earring, Gutzke seemed more like a friend than abiology professor, Starke said.
"He used to have us (students) over to his house for cookouts,"he said. "We would go see movies and hang out."
Gutzke's teaching style made biology classes interesting for hisstudents, leaving quite an impression.
"He's one of the most intelligent people I've ever met," Starkesaid. "He would walk into the classroom and just start talking, nonotes or handouts, just straight out of his head.
Gutzke made the same impression on his friends andcolleagues.
"He was brilliant," said Dr. Michael Ferkin, U of M biologyprofessor. "He was very well read in the sciences andphilosophy.
"Bill was a very fair man, but he had high expectations forpeople. He was an incredibly loyal and solid friend."
Gutzke was always very supportive of his students' research,Starke said.
"He was pretty hands-off until you finished your work. Then he'dtear it to pieces," he said.
Gutzke was never afraid to tell people what was on his mind,said those who knew him.
He served as senate president in 2000-01 and was outspoken andquick to take action on behalf of his fellow faculty members. InSeptember 2000, Gutzke called for faculty members to boycott The Uof M Student Recreation and Fitness Center because of an increasein fees for non-students using the facility.
"He was dedicated to his students and The University. He triedto make it a better place to work and to raise the academicstandards," said Ferkin.
During his term as faculty senate president, Gutzke also servedon the search committee that brought President Shirley Raines toThe U of M.
Outside of the lab and away from The University, Gutzke spent alot of time with his family.
"He really loved his family," said Starke. "He spent a lot oftime with his kids."
Gutzke's work and other circumstances added to his rich andexciting life.
As a college student, Gutzke made an unplanned trip to Vietnamafter Virginia Tech forgot his student deferral during thedraft.
"I don't think he was too happy with Virginia Tech when he cameback from Vietnam," said Starke.
Gutzke's travels included trips to the Galapagos Islands andTrinidad for research.
Among numerous other publications, Gutzke's research ontemperature and sexual determination was published in Nature, oneof the oldest and most prestigious biology publications in theworld.
"He was very inspirational," Starke said. "He always wanted toget people out in the field for research."
