Guthrie S. Birkhead Jr. *51

Guthrie Birkhead, the eminent dean emeritus of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, died July 22, 2013. He was 92.

Between earning a B.A. (1942) and an M.A. (1947) from Missouri, Birkhead was a combat infantry officer in Gen. Patton’s Third Army. With a Princeton master’s degree (1949), he joined the Maxwell faculty in 1950 and completed his Princeton Ph.D. in politics in 1951.

He was promoted to full professor of political science in 1960. Active in public policy in New York, he played a key role in local government at the 1967 New York State Constitutional Convention. In 1983-84, he was chair of the platform committee of the New York State Democratic Party under Gov. Mario Cuomo. He also led initiatives on conservation and water administration.

Birkhead became Maxwell’s dean in 1977, retired in 1988, but continued teaching on the faculty. Many of his students had prominent careers in public service and as professors. A writer and editor of numerous books and research studies, he was described as a man of modesty and integrity with unfailing humanity.

He is survived by Louise, his wife of 60 years; three sons, including Guthrie III ’75; and five grandchildren. 

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.