William H. Padberg, Ph.D., 1938-2006

ST. LOUIS — A longtime Saint Louis University social work professor has passed away.

William H. Padberg, Ph.D., professor emeritus of social work, died Friday, July 21, 2006. Dr. Padberg was 68 years old.

William H. Padberg, Ph.D.

Dr. Padberg attended Saint Louis University, earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1960 and his master’s degree in social work in 1962. He went on to a career in social work with the U.S. Public Health Service and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Dr. Padberg earned his doctorate in social work from Columbia University in 1974. He spent two years as an assistant professor at Michigan State University before returning to Saint Louis University.

Dr. Padberg served as the first lay dean of the School of Social Service from 1975-1977, and taught for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2004.

Colleagues and students found many qualities, both professional and personal, to admire in Dr. Padberg. Roy Ruckdeschel, Ph.D., who worked with Padberg for more than 25 years, looked at just a few.

“Bill was a man of integrity and grace, of wit and wisdom. He was always the voice of reason,” Ruckdeschel said. “When discussions would get heated in meetings, you could always count on Bill to make a comment that would crystallize the issue and bring about closure.”

“He had a boundless commitment to the school and to the profession. Bill stood out as a teacher with high but fair standards,” Ruckdeschel continued. “He was a true friend and confidant who was always willing to listen, no matter the issue.”

Dr. Padberg also was known for his willingness to mentor colleagues. Marla Berg-Weger, Ph.D., senior associate provost, considers Padberg’s guidance an important part of her development as a faculty member.

“I have learned a considerable amount about administration and teaching from Bill’s examples and consider myself a better social work educator for having had the opportunity to work with him,” Berg-Weger said.

For more than three decades, Padberg was known not only for his teaching and leadership skills, but also for his willingness to step in when a job needed to be done.

Among a long list of accomplishments, he served as master's of social work admissions director and director of the bachelor's of science in social work program. His successor, Don Linhorst, Ph.D., has high regard for the foundation Padberg laid.

“I greatly admired Bill’s commitment to undergraduate social work education. He served as the director of the undergraduate program for many years, providing valuable leadership and setting high standards, Linhorst said. I especially appreciate his mentoring of me and helping me make a smooth transition to the directorship when he retired.”

Dr. Padberg’s commitment to the area of social work also went beyond the classroom walls. His efforts helped secure funding to provide additional educational opportunities for future child abuse and neglect workers.

“In addition to serving as director of the baccalaureate program in the School of Social Services, Bill was successful in obtaining a series of child welfare grants that provided stipends for students to work in the field of child welfare services,” said Bill Hutchison, S.J., former dean of the School of Social Work.

Dr. Padberg is recognized not only for his academic accomplishments but also for encouraging students and his sense of humor.

“He brought me into the bachelor's of science in social work program,” said Elizabeth (Lucier) Sobczyk (SW '03, Grad SW, Pub Hlth '05). “When I met him to talk about transferring in, he made me feel so welcome, like social work was just the place for me.”

“I remember him standing in front of our 8 a.m. Social Policy/Welfare class and trying to keep us awake by doing little jigs and putting random barnyard animal sounds into his PowerPoint presentation," Sobczyk continued. “He was so proud that he figured out how to put sounds in, he'd play them over and over, trying to make us laugh.”

That sense of humor did not go unnoticed by his colleagues, including Ruckdeschel, who says one of the qualities he cherished about Dr. Padberg was his wit.

“Bill had a sly, rapier-like wit that could cut through the pretentiousness which sometimes characterizes academe,” Ruckdeschel said. “He was famous for his dead-on humorous e-mails. The wit was also part of his everyday interactions.”

Dr. Padberg received the School of Social Work Alumni of the Year Award in 2004. Jane Sprankel (Grad SW ’84), director of recruitment and financial aid in the school of social work, believes Padberg’s leadership and the achievements of his students exemplify the best qualities of the field of social work and Saint Louis University.

“Looking at the list of Dr. Padberg’s accomplishments and his contributions to the school of social service and the field of social work, he has achieved the highest of the Jesuit ideals, which is to ‘educate men and women for others,’” Sprankel said.

Dr. Padberg is survived by his wife, Rosemary Simonetti Padberg; a son, John F. Padberg; daughters Christine Proctor, Emily Padberg and Elizabeth Danis; a brother, Rev. John Padberg, S.J.; three sisters, Marie Xavier Padberg, SSND, Frances Padberg, SSND, and Carol Padberg; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation was held 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 24, at Kriegshauser West Mortuary, 9450 Olive Blvd. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 25, at St. Francis Xavier College Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd. Burial will follow immediately at Resurrection Cemetary, 6901 McKenzie Road.

[ Return to Top of Page ]