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Leroy Grossman, Ph.D.: 1934-2018

Leroy Grossman, Ph.D., professor emeritus and former dean of the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018. He was 83.

Dr. Grossman was an economist who served Saint Louis University as a professor, department chair, associate dean and dean. He was also widely recognized as an expert witness in court for the measurement of economic damages. 

After completing his bachelor’s degree at Washington University and his Ph.D. in economics at Vanderbilt University, Grossman served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Counter-Intelligence Corps in Maine, inspecting bases and performing background checks.   

After military service, he worked as an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank, publishing 10 economic research articles. He co-founded a consulting firm and completed an additional four research studies for the St. Louis Regional Industrial Development Corporation before permanently joining Saint Louis University in 1969. He retired from the University in 2003, with his last position being dean of the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business.  

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Lawrence Grossman, Ph.D.

Recognized by SLU alumni for his excellence in the classroom, he was honored by the University with the creation of the Leroy J. Grossman Outstanding Student Award, the only award named for an economics professor in the 200-year history of Saint Louis University.  

Current dean Mark Higgins, Ph.D., praised the legacy of Grossman.

“On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Chaifetz School of Business, we are saddened to hear about the passing of Professor Grossman,” Higgins said. “Although he precedes my time at Saint Louis University, his impact on the business school and especially the economics department is still felt.” 

Neil Seitz, Ph.D., professor emeritus of finance, was a longtime colleague of Grossman.

“Leroy never lost the soldier’s deep sense of duty,” Seitz said. “He selflessly pursued the welfare of the students, faculty and staff of the University as well as his family and the injured on whose behalf he testified in court”. 

“He was also famous for inviting people for performance counseling on a bench outside the business school, particularly on winter days. He was accused of wearing long underwear so he could outlast the people being counseled until they saw things his way,” Seitz added.  

Dean emerita Ellen Harshman, J.D., Ph.D., also noted Grossman’s contributions to the Chaifetz School.

 

“Leroy was a well-respected faculty member and took on many formal and informal leadership roles,” Harshman said. He was dedicated to the School and his students."

 

In 1974 Grossman formed Econo-Tech, an advisory service for lawyers. He was a recognized expert on economic damages in state, local, and federal courts. He provided damage values and expert witness testimony in over 900 cases. Grossman also completed dozens of presentations and publications on the measurement of economic damages. One of his largest cases was a dioxin spill from a railroad car in southern Illinois, which resulted in damage claims by forty-seven clean-up workers. 

Dr. Grossman is survived by his wife, Doris; daughters Karen Grossman (Jerry) Tabak and Marcene Grossman (Doug) Menendez; grandchildren Rachel Tabak and Marty Schoen, Michael Tabak and Liz Mandeville, Emily (Kyle) Fetick, Matthew (Caroline) Menendez; great-granddaughter Frances "Frankie" Ellen Tabak; brother-in-law Stanley (Jan) Boraz; and sister-in-law Betty Urban. He was preceded in death by his daughter Ellen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 South Mason Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.

Shiva will be Sunday afternoon, Sunday evening and Monday late morning through Monday evening.