University Law School alum James Westin's plans to attend this Saturday's football game against Ohio State University go beyond cheering for the Wolverines. Westin is using the game to remember his life-long friend and business partner Alfred Connable.
Connable, a University alum who also served on the University Board of Regents from 1942-57, died Tuesday in Kalamazoo after complications from a stroke he suffered earlier this month. He was 95.
Westin, who works at Connable Associates Inc., a private trust management company in Kalamazoo, said Connable was a dedicated Michigan football fan and had been a season ticket holder for many years. Westin will be using Connable's ticket to attend the game.
"He was a Michigan man through and through," Westin said. "The University should remember him as a loyal son and ardent supporter."
Before his graduation from the University in 1925, Connable was an active member of the Men's Glee Club, worked as an editor of The Michigan Daily and served as Student Council President.
University President Lee Bollinger praised Connable's service to the University.
"During his 16 years on the Board of Regents, Regent Connable always emphasized Michigan's strong academic traditions. Working with Presidents Alexander Ruthven and Harlan Hatcher, Regent Connable saw Michigan's enrollment double and oversaw the development of North Campus," Bollinger said in a written statement.
Former Regent and University alum Phil Power, whose family had close ties to the Connables, said he would remember his friend as a "warm, knowledgeable, passionate and independent man."
"He saw the University during the greatest change in its history," Power said.
University alum Alfred Connable Jr., attended the University while his father served as a regent.
"He was the student's regent and took great pride in that," Connable Jr. said.
Connable Jr. said it was not unusual for his father to be the only regent to vote to protect freedom of speech and that his father did not shy away from controversy and social and political issues.
In 1996, a conference room in the University's Detroit Observatory was named in Connable's honor.
Power, who attended the ceremony, said Connable had tears in his eyes during the event.
"He was startled that a room in the second oldest building on campus would be named after him," Power said.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Kalamazoo.
11-18-99
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