Marquette law school dean dies June 4

MILWAUKEE -- Howard Eisenberg, dean of the Marquette University Law School since 1995, died June 4 at St. Luke Hospital. He suffered a heart attack May 23 and was released from the hospital four days later. According to a Marquette University statement, Eisenberg suffered a second heart attack June 3 and was admitted to St. Luke Hospital, where he died the following day. He was 55.

Eisenberg was appointed in March by former Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland to chair a five-member commission that is studying cases of sexual abuse by clergy. "It's a job that someone has to do," Eisenberg told the Catholic Herald in an interview published April 4. "No one would prefer to do this. We would all prefer this task did not have to be done, but obviously it does, and if the archbishop has confidence in my ability to do it, I'm certainly not going to turn him down."

A member of the Jewish faith and the first non-Catholic to serve as dean of Marquette's law school, Eisenberg previously served as dean and professor of law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A native of Chicago, he was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Northwestern University. He attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and from 1972 to 1978 and served as the chief state public defender of the State of Wisconsin.

In 1978 he was named executive director of the National Aid and Defender Association in Washington, D.C. Eisenberg joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, Ill., in 1983, serving as director of clinical education until accepting the dean's post at the University of Arkansas.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of his death and offer my condolences to his entire family in name of the archdiocese," said Bishop Richard J. Sklba. "His memory will be held in high esteem and the gratitude of the entire community is a treasure that will remain in our hearts for years to come."

Marquette President Fr. Robert Wild said Eisenberg "will be forever remembered on campus as a mentor, a generous colleague and a good friend."

"Howard did not leave to others the responsibility to have a positive impact on community," said Wild. "He lived a philosophy to be available always to others, to be ready always to help others, especially those who are unable to help themselves. I can think of no better role model for students."

As law professor, Eisenberg taught criminal law, criminal procedure, professional responsibility and appellate advocacy. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, their children and his parents.