Business and Economics

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Emeritus Steve Casler, here we celebrate his remarkable life and career.

Professor Emeritus Stephen D Casler, formerly of Hopkinton, MA, passed away April 22, 2021 at Hope Hospice, Bonita Springs, FL.  He was born in Boston, MA,  August 27,1951 to Barbara Casler Coyne and Howard F. Casler.

Steve graduated from Hopkinton High School in 1969, served four years in the Navy, received a BA from University of MA Amherst in Economics, 1977, MS at U. of Illinois,Urbana, IL Economics 1980 and PHD University of IL, Ubana, IL Economics 1983. He spent 33 years teaching in the Economics Department at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA and he served as Chairperson from 2003-2011. Steve was recognized as an excellent teacher. He received the College-wide Julian Ross award in 2002 and was recognized in the 2014 Greek Awards as Professor of the Year. He was also a productive researcher with 26 published articles and a number of research reports for groups such as the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. In 2013, he received the Sir Richard Stone Award from the International Input-Output Association; for the best paper appearing in the journal Economics Systems Research in the previous two years.  He also wrote two text books, Introduction to Economics and Macroeconomics: Model Building, Applications and Policy. You can offer your condolences to the family by visiting the Chesmore Funeral Home.

Professor Casler retired in 2014, yet his legacy lived on in the minds and hearts of his students and colleagues.  His friend and colleague, Professor John Golden offered this memorial in his memory:

Like many other members of the economics department, I was lucky to have an excellent mentor, colleague and friend in Steve Casler. He gave excellent advice, and although at first, he could seem a little gruff, once you got to know him better it became clearer that he was one of the kindest, most generous friends a person could have. Steve was an expert in input-output analysis and other areas of economics as his extensive publication record shows. He spent many hours with insightful and helpful suggestions on economics papers I had written. A highly successful teacher, he was also very generous with time he spent with his students and was the first in the economics department to win the Julian Ross Prize for teaching excellence at Allegheny. Even after retirement in 2014, Steve continued to offer helpful advice and his friendship and for this I will always be grateful.

At his retirement celebration, former students and the Economics faculty clearly cherished his service both to the students and to the profession.  Here’s what they had to say:

Congratulations Professor Casler! Hard to believe it has been 31 years since my Senior Economic Project with you as my advisor. I probably would not have made it through without your support. Thanks also for your hard work over the years, and hope we can get together for a beer on my trips back to Allegheny.  Jerome Nelson ’83

Dear Professor Casler; I was not one of your most memorable economics students, I was one of those who struggled through my college career, but when you became my adviser you helped me get focused and complete my economics degree. While I may not have pursued an economics career, it has always helped me as a business analyst deciphering the business processes and requirements that I need software designed to do for my clients. Both you and Professor Moskwa were my favorite professors while attending Allegheny and I appreciate both your efforts in forming an ability to view problems and develop solutions. What I have learned in economics has helped me readiness management in strategic command and control systems, mortgage banking processes, logistics management and property & casualty insurance. The hurdles that Allegheny placed in our path to study and learn about major and minor courses of study helped us prepare for the continuous learning that is part of our professional lives. I remember at one point while studying strategic management planning for my Master’s that one of my teammates griped that this program was hard and I thought this was easy because I thought Allegheny was hard. Thank you for the push and guidance, David Day, Class of 1984 BS Economics, Business Emphasis

Steve, Congratulations on your retirement. I must be getting old, because I remember you as a young professor during my time at Allegheny. Your Managerial Econ class was one of the first courses I ever took that actually made sense to me in terms of it relating to the real world. You put up with me even though I always arrived late for the Saturday morning class, wearing a hoodie and being half asleep. All the best, Bill Demchak, Class of 1984

Dear Professor Casler, You won’t likely remember me, but your intermediate macro class definitely left an impression on me. I took the class sophomore year, which would I guess be way back in about 1985. I recall that you taught the class in such a way that was both challenging but also understandable to someone struggling with the material as I was at the time. I went on to receive my B.S. in Economics from Allegheny, and later received my MBA in Finance from the UT Austin. I ended up working in international development, first on banking and financial reform in the Former Soviet Union, and these days as a finance director for a public health section. Overall my days at Allegheny prepared me well for my career and life in the “real world”, and your class in particular stands out as one of the best I had at Allegheny. I congratulate you on your retirement and wish you all the best in your “post-Allegheny” life! Fond regards, Mike Hammes, Class of 1987

You made me the macroeconomist I am today! It was the brilliance of your teaching that made me want to grad school and study macro. I remember well puzzling through IS-LM analysis with you in intermediate macro and thinking that it was the most wonderful thing I had ever learned. Unfortunately, Illinois couldn’t hold a candle to Allegheny! There are many things that I’ll miss when you move away. I’ll miss your sense of humor, the cartoons stapled on the corkboards, the recycling outside of my office, and the pizza at our department meetings. Most of all, I’ll miss your steady presence, your dedication to teaching, research, and the college, the good advice, and our friendship. I will call to tell you about the latest gossip on campus, and you’ll call to tell me about your success in getting “the paypah” published and the state of sunsets in Michigan. Tomas Nonnenmacher, Class of 1990

Thank you Professor Casler for being such a pillar of the Economics department and for bringing out the best in every student! You will be greatly missed in Quigley Hall and around campus. Congratulations your retirement, enjoy this new chapter in your life. Jennifer Daurora, Class of 1999

The New Century

Professor Casler, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement! The ability to think through and understand how subtle changes in details can greatly affect the big picture is an essential skill in any line of business, and I use that skill daily. Thank you for being among the first to instill it. Sincere best wishes! Kara Harchuck, Class of 2000

Well, I know you have to retire at some point, but I feel for the future students who will not have a chance to experience your classes and benefit from the devotion you provide to your students. I don’t know many professors who were willing to get on the phone at midnight to talk a comping student off the ledge or even to help a student better understand a macro theory.  You did both for me…often…while also driving me to work towards my potential. You also opened my eyes to the world outside and helped me view it through an economic lens. To this day, I can remember your utter excitement that unemployment hit 4.3% while I was in your macro class in the spring of ’98. I can’t imagine what you were like when the rate hit 3.9% in 2000!!!! Thank you for all you have done for me and all of your students. I wish you the best in retirement.  Loren Zadecky, Class of 2000

Professor Casler – Congratulations on your impending, and well deserved, retirement. I thoroughly enjoyed the two classes I took from you, Econ 310 and 463 if memory serves (I noticed that the course catalogue has changed in the last decade). You’ll be happy to know that I used econometrics and statistics for a quite a few years as a consultant after graduating in 2003. All the best and enjoy! You certainly earned it.  Scotland Duncan, Class of 2003

Professor Casler, congratulations and best of luck as you enter the next stage of life. I really enjoyed working on my Comp under your direction and through the many classes we had together. I studied how government spending impacts the business cycle and keep thinking back to how different that data would be today after the Great Recession. Your guidance and way of thinking through tough issues has been of great help through my professional career.  Regards, Chris Stetson, Class of 2007

Professor Casler, Congratulations on your retirement! It is difficult for me to put into words how much I enjoyed your classes and admired you as a teacher. As my comp advisor, I can recall many hours in the Quigley lab working on regression analyses with you. You were always very patient and I still use many economic theories and principles in my career today as a financial planner. Recently, I came across your book, “Introduction to Economics” on Amazon. I purchased it, and although I have not cracked it open yet, it sits in my office as my “go to” resource for all things economics. I hope you enjoy your retirement years as much as your students enjoyed your teaching. With deep gratitude, Rob Rodgers, Class of 2008

Hello Professor Casler, It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been four years since we last saw each other! I want you to know that you are leaving behind a legacy that will not be forgotten by your students. I will always remember all of the encouragement and mentoring you gave me during my time at Allegheny. It really meant a lot to me that you nominated me for departmental honors in Economics and for the University of Rochester’s Simon Graduate School Early Leader’s Leadership Award. This confidence and belief in me was truly inspiring and I want to thank you for all of your support. You will be missed and I wish you all the best for the future.  All the Best, Steve Suchora, Class of 2010

Professor, thanks for bringing the dry humor necessary to balance a course as whimsical and lively as macroeconomic theory. If I remember anything, it’s that for every student who learned to apply Okun’s Law, three switched to psych majors. We’ll miss you, and we hope that you find something far less dismal to explore in retirement.  Loren Horst, Class of 2012

Thank you for your wonderful spirit and immense dedication to economics and your students. You have been one of the most helpful, friendly, and approachable professors I have had in my college experience. The impact you have made on so many students is great. Thanks for a wonderful experience and good luck in all that life has yet to offer. Congratulations! Lauren Laurune, Class of 2015

Professor Casler, I do not have enough words to express my thanks and gratitude to you. Recently, someone asked me who is my role model, which I responded “Steve Casler.” Your notes and class lecture should be THE model for how to properly teach. I have so many fond memories of your classes and office hours–I will cherish them forever. One of my favorite memories came from Macroeconomic Theory in fall 2012. You explained to the class that you had bought pizza for the Economics Department event that occurred the previous day. Therefore, it wouldn’t be the best idea to stick you up after class because you weren’t carrying a lot of cash! Another great memory is this semester, in Mathematical Economics, when you taught the class discounting, went through the calculation, and wrote the answer down from your notes–which you were unsure if it was correct–so you told the class “If that’s not the answer, it’s the answer to something, somewhere!” You are the most intelligent, giving, caring, funny and kind man I know. I have read most of your online publications that are available–they are all incredibly clear and make intuitive sense. You, Professor Casler, are the highlight of my time here at Allegheny College–I admire you a great deal. I congratulate you sincerely on your retirement and hope that one day I’ll have the pleasure to again have you as a student. I hope we can remain in contact after your retirement. Thanks again for all of your help over the years–you are truly an amazing friend. Sincerely, Raymond Jozwiak, Class of 2015