Dr. Ross M. Lence, 62
Dr. Ross M. Lence, a distinguished teacher at the University of Houston, died July 11, 2006.
The son of Nickie and Marlo Lence, Dr. Lence was born Dec. 19, 1943, in Whitefish.
He is survived by his mother, Nickie Lence, of Houston; brother, John, of Meadow Lake; nephew, Dino Justin Lence, of Seattle; nephew, Mario Valentino Lence, of Missoula; niece, Natalee Nikkolina Lence, of Kalispell; aunt, Teresa Granier of Missoula; and numerous other cousins and relatives.
After earning his bachelor of arts degree at the University of Chicago, Dr. Lence studied at Georgetown University and later at the British Museum. He completed his Ph.D. at Indiana University, under the tutelage of the legendary teacher and scholar Professor Charles Hyneman.
Dr. Lence joined the Houston faculty in 1971, where he himself became a legend. A professor in the department of political science and The Honors College, Dr. Lence was named in 1998 a John and Rebecca Moores Professor.
The crowning mark of Dr. Lence's work came in the 1990s, when hundreds of his students donated funds to establish a chair in his honor.
In 2001, Dr. Lence was appointed to the Ross M. Lence Distinguished University Teaching Chair.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Lence taught courses at the Women's Institute of Houston. He was, as well, an invited participant in many scholarly conferences sponsored by Liberty Fund, an educational foundation in Indianapolis. In Dr. Lence's honor, Liberty Fund Inc., has placed a complete set of its books, many of which are classic texts in political philosophy, in The Honors College Alumni Library.
Passionate about great books and ideas, Dr. Lence is remembered for the clarity of his intellect, the quickness of his wit, the depth of his soul, and the generosity of his love. A leading scholar on the thought of John C. Calhoun, he edited 'Union and Liberty: The Political Philosophy of John C. Calhoun,' published by Liberty Fund Press in 1992.
During the 11 months of his illness, countless numbers of Dr. Lence's current and former students manifested their respect, gratitude and love for their teacher by visiting and assisting him. To these and all other persons who extended their support, Nickie Lence expresses her abiding gratitude.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 13, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the chapel of The Settegast-Kopf Co., 3320 Kirby Drive. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 14, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ross M. Lence Scholarship Fund in The Honors College at the University of Houston, 212 M.D. Anderson Library, Houston, TX 77204-2001.