David L. Kaserman, Torchmark professor of economics, died last Thursday at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital after a short period of illness and hospitalization resulting from his long-time status as a kidney transplant recipient.
Kaserman was teaching ECON 2020, Principles of Microeconomics and ECON 4200, Government, Business and Society, this semester.
“I was in his class this semester, Government, Business and Society,” said Christian Calhoun, a senior in economics. “Professor Kaserman also came to my public choice class last year and spoke about his research on organ procurement. From what I’ve heard, he was highly respected throughout the Auburn University economic department and even though he had struggled with his disease for a very long time, he remained a positive influential figure amongst his colleagues and students.”
Because of his personal experience as a dialysis and kidney transplant patient, Kaserman devoted his work to explaining and resolving the shortage of organs for transplant.
“Kaserman was a good friend to many people in the department and the profession of economics,” said Richard Beil, professor of economics. “He is better known in the profession of economics than anyone else in our department. Dave was extremely kind and generous and was an exceptional teacher and researcher. He will be missed by many. I am deeply saddened by his passing. Auburn University has lost an extremely good professor that will be almost impossible to replace.”
Kaserman received a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Tennessee in 1970 and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1976 before coming to Auburn in 1986. He briefly served as department head of economics until kidney problems forced his withdrawal from administrative work.
His areas of expertise include applied microeconomics, industrial organization, antitrust economics, economics of regulation, telecommunications policy and organ procurement policy.
Over the course of his career, he published more than 100 articles in professional journals including the American Economic Review, the Review of Economics and Statistics, the Journal of Law and Economics and many others.
“Dave was one of the best teachers and certainly one of the most humane and decent men I have ever known,” said Randy Beard, professor of economics. “He suffered terribly for decades — dialysis, transplants, heart defects, immuno-suppressive drugs, etc. and never complained about it. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.”
Students in Kaserman’s Government, Business and Society class have been told that Professor Beard will be taking over the class, and there are talks of Professor Beil helping out as well.
