Richard S. Wirtz *63

Richard Wirtz, the E.E. Overton Distinguished Professor of Law emeritus at the University of Tennessee College of Law, died Jan. 3, 2019, at age 78.

Wirtz graduated from Amherst College in 1961 and earned an MPA in 1963 from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. He then worked for government programs fighting the war on poverty. In 1970 he earned a law degree from Stanford University Law School.

He clerked for a federal judge and worked in a large law firm. In 1974 Wirtz joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee College of Law, and became an associate professor in 1977 and a full professor in 1987. In 1988 he became associate dean for academic affairs, served as acting dean in 1991-92, and was appointed dean in 1992, serving until 1998.

As dean, Wirtz worked to improve its accreditation with the ABA and to renovate and upgrade its physical plant. In 2000 he became the first Overton Distinguished Professor. He became emeritus in 2004 and continued to teach law until 2010. Over the years he won two outstanding teacher awards, was a member of several legal committees, and published many legal articles.

Wirtz was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, in 2008. He is survived by two daughters.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.