Sociology professor, author dies

IU is feeling the loss of former Sociology Professor Frank Robert Westie after he died at his Naples, Fla., residence March 5. Westie was 82.\nWestie enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II before finishing his music degree at Wayne State University in Detroit with plans to compose music for a living. But his experiences piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress changed his psyche forever. \nViewing the atrocities of the war motivated Westie to study the nature of social structures that breed violence and cruelty toward fellow human beings. He received a sociology degree from Ohio State University and became a sociology professor at IU in 1949 before retiring in 1982. \nAlong with his duties of publishing sociology research papers, he wrote a much-appreciated anti-war, novel-style autobiographical account of his experiences called "Ash Wednesday '45." A sequel, titled "Sposh," a character from the first novel, is set to be published later this year.\nThe book served as "his own expression of his experiences," said granddaughter Anne-Marie Tasker, a sophomore at IU and IDS staff writer.\nIn addition to being a professor, he chaired the Beautification Committee at IU, which has had accomplishments, including properly representing Bloomington geology by building the stacked limestone walls across campus. He also wrote a contata called "Pacem In Terra" (Peace on Earth), which appropriately is set to debut Memorial Day weekend in Michigan, his final state of summer residence. It will include a solo for Tasker, who Westie convinced to come to IU.\n"He was a renaissance man," said Suzette Johnson, a friend and neighbor of Westie. "He could, write music, write books, speak at dinner and above all. He was a humanitarian."\nWestie also interacted well with his students, becoming good friends with many, including former graduate student Dave Peter. He showed his appreciation for Westie by visiting him every day at the hospital for the last few weeks of his life. Peter now ranks an autographed copy of Westie's novel among his most "prized possessions." \nJohnson said the war helped make Westie a better person.\n"No matter what, he would treat absolutely everybody as equal," she said. "Seeing the evil of the war really made him open up his heart and become a greater human being. He was a real humanitarian." \n-- Contact staff writer Benjames Derrick at bderrick@indiana.edu.