Gerald E. Tanner

Gerald Earl "Jerry” Tanner, 77, of Greeley, CO passed away May 15, 2012 at his home. He was born May 4, 1935 in rural Weld County to Keith and Bettye Tanner. He was raised on a farm one mile west of Galeton, CO. He graduated from Galeton High School in 1953 where he participated in sports and musical groups. After high school he drove for Baum Trucking throughout Colorado and Wyoming. In 1959 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State College of Education, now the University of Northern Colorado. He served as President of the Associated Students for 1957-1958. He was active in campus activities including Chorale-Aires, Intercollegiate Knights, C-Club, Distributive Education Club, Blue Key, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Kappa, and lettered in football. He was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in the falls of 1956 and 1957. After receiving his BA in 1959, he became a member of the university faculty as an Admissions Counselor and Instructor in Education. As such, he helped recruit and process new students, as well as organized College Day and orientation programs. After earning a MA in Psychology, Counseling, and Guidance, he was named Assistant Director of Admissions. He continued to work at the university as Dean of Men, Dean of Students, and Vice President for Student Affairs overseeing student services, conflict resolution, safety issues, and counseling students. In 1975, he earned a PhD in College Student Personnel Administration and Higher Education. His groundbreaking dissertation was on the legal aspects of student institution relations. Completing his post doctoral fellowship at Stanford University was one of his proudest achievements. He was the project manager for the 1986 University Center renovation. He went on to be the Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services and Associate Professor of Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education. Throughout his career he taught courses in psychology, guidance, and student personnel administration. He was selected as the 1993 Administrator of the Year and was presented with the Outstanding College Student Personnel Administration Faculty Member for 1990-1991. He retired as Associate Professor Emeritus from the College of Student Personnel Administration in 1996. Jerry was humbled by the founding of the Jerry Tanner Leadership Scholarship Endowment Fund at the UNC Foundation established by colleagues, friends and former students. Jerry was a proud member of the Greeley Chorale for 17 years and served as the administrator for nine years. He was privileged to make several overseas trips with the chorale and enjoyed the annual Madrigal Feast. He was also involved in several civic organizations including Greeley Initiative, Greeley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greeley Volunteer Resource Bureau, Downtown Business Association, Greeley Chamber of Commerce, and Aims College Center for Quality Improvement. His pastimes were watching sports, traveling, water and snow skiing, snowmobiling, jeeping, visiting family and friends, and enjoying fine food. He enjoyed telling a good story. Jerry is survived by sisters, Gwen (Ray) Taylor of Santa Maria, CA, Gail (Richard) Dalton of Eaton, CO; two nieces; four nephews; step sisters, Nancy Ballantyne of Denver, CO and Carol Hankins of Palo Alto, CA; girlfriend, Marlane Mowitz; and many friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at First Congregational Church, 2101 16th Street, Greeley, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to "Greeley Chorale” or "UNC Foundation” in care of Adamson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634.