In Memoriam

Remembering members of our cherished GSE community who have recently passed away.

Student

Headshot of Cheryl L. Cullinan.

CHERYL L. CULLINAN, a PhD student in the Department of Learning and Instruction, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 14, 2022. She was 52.

After earning a master’s degree in secondary English education from Buffalo State, Cullinan served as an ELA and social studies teacher at Kadimah School of Buffalo, an adjunct professor at Erie Community College, and an ELA and SAT instructor in UB’s Upward Bound Program. She was a wife and a mother as well as a coach and academy staff trainer for the Clarence Soccer Club.

“When I think of Cheryl, I think of laughter, humility and wisdom. Cheryl found humor everywhere and shared her joyous spirit generously. She was an eager learner and listener who was humble despite her many accomplishments. Among the most noteworthy of these accomplishments was Cheryl’s ability to forge and sustain strong relationships with students at all levels. Relationships were always her focus—you couldn’t talk to Cheryl without hearing about her family and her students, whom she loved deeply. Her spirit will live in our hearts, and in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her,” said Cullinan’s doctoral advisor, Julie Gorlewski.

Emeritus Faculty

Headshot of C. Alan Riedesel.

C. ALAN RIEDESEL, professor emeritus in the Department of Learning and Instruction, died June 9, 2022. He was 91. Riedesel taught elementary math education for 23 years, from 1972 to 1995.

Riedesel was a 1946 graduate of Bennett High School. He attended Cornell College, where he earned his BA and the University of Iowa, where he earned his MA and PhD. After completing his doctorate, he went on to teach at Kansas State, Penn State and Georgia State before coming to UB. He was part of the Tri-University Project at New York University.

Riedesel was a member of the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and served as the research editor of Arithmetic Teacher magazine. Riedesel authored several books on teaching elementary school mathematics, including “Guiding Discovery in Elementary School Mathematics,” “Handbook for Exploratory and Systemic Teaching of Elementary School Mathematics,” “Coping with Computers in the Elementary and Middle Schools” and “Teaching Elementary Mathematics.” Additionally, he wrote a children’s book, “Buddy Goes to Heaven,” which deals with the death of a family dog.

His proudest achievements were his marriage of 63 years to his wife Ardeth L. Scott Riedesel, and his five children, whose vocations and talents include artist, college professor, nurse, physician, software developer and teacher. He had six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He enjoyed bird-watching, gardening and woodcarving.

Alumni

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