In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Mahlon R. Straszheim

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and its Department of Economics join the University community in honoring the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Mahlon R. Straszheim, who passed away on Sunday, May 17. As a former chair of the Department of Economics and a prolific researcher—and as a cherished teacher, colleague and friend—he had been an integral part of the University of Maryland community for more than 40 years, and will be deeply missed.

“At this time of reflection, it is with gratitude, admiration and fondness that we remember Professor Straszheim and all that he has done for our department,” said Distinguished University Professor and Chair Maureen Cropper. “He was a remarkable scholar and leader, and we are ever grateful for the contributions that he has made to our community and to the field.”

After graduating from Purdue University with an A.B. in economics in 1961, Professor Straszheim earned a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard in 1966, and served as an assistant professor there from 1966 until 1971. He came to Maryland in 1971 as an associate professor, and later was promoted to professor of economics. Professor Straszheim also served as the department’s director of undergraduate studies from 1978 to 1988, and was the department chair from 1988 to 2005. He also served the University as associate provost. He was named professor emeritus in 2012 in recognition of his innumerable contributions to the department, the college, the campus and the state of Maryland.

During his tenure as chair, the department made enormous strides, hiring numerous faculty who in many ways now serve as the core of that community. His efforts also raised the department’s visibility and stature.

Professor Straszheim likewise played key roles in a broad range of campus initiatives during his service as associate provost in 2008. In that capacity, he co-chaired the Provost’s Enrollment Management Team; was instrumental in securing funding for UMD libraries; chaired a committee on Living-Learning programs; worked with Undergraduate Studies to develop the University Textbook Affordability policy; helped to design a number of innovative undergraduate programs and the redesign of several existing undergraduate programs; and facilitated the transition as President Wallace Loh took office.

In addition to the University, the state of Maryland benefitted from Professor Straszheim’s expertise and leadership. He developed a quarterly economic model of the state and used that model to estimate state income, employment and earnings in major industries. He presented his quarterly forecasts to the state treasurer and comptroller from 1992 through 2007. Professor Straszheim also wrote an annual economic report card for Montgomery County from 1997 through 2007. County Executive Douglas Duncan declared May 15, 2005 as “Mahlon R. Straszheim Day” in recognition of Professor Straszheim’s many contributions to the county.

Among his numerous areas of study and research, Professor Straszheim is best known for his work in urban economics and in the economics of the airline industry. A widely renowned scholar, he authored four books, edited a volume of readings, and published more than 20 journal articles. He was a frequent contributor to the Journal of Urban Economics, the leading journal in that field. His 1973 Review of Economics and Statistics paper “Estimation of the Demand for Urban Housing Services from Household Interview Data” is a widely-cited and influential article. His 1974 Quarterly Journal of Economics paper “Urban Housing Market Discrimination and Black Housing Consumption” also stands as a significant contribution to the urban economics literature.

Professor Straszheim also was an associate editor of Review of Economics and Statistics from 1976 to 1992; was a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Urban Economics from 1978 to 1994; and was a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research Conference on Income and Wealth since 1988.

“Mahlon Straszheim’s transformative contributions to our University and to the field will live on for decades to come,” said Dean Gregory Ball. “Our students, faculty, staff and alumni join with his family and friends in mourning the loss of this extraordinary member of our community. As we reflect on his life and his work, we renew our commitment to be the solution to the world’s great challenges.”

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Potomac Presbyterian Church,10301 River Rd., Potomac, MD, 20854.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Economics Gift Fund.

Checks for the benefit of the Department of Economics Gift Fund should be made payable to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation and mailed c/o Jennifer Kilberg, External Relations, 0145 Tydings Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. 

Published on Mon, May 18, 2015 - 2:37PM