Retailing icon Morris Mayer dies at age 82
From the banks of the Tombigbee River in Demopolis to the boardrooms of companies around the world, people are remembering Dr. Morris L. Mayer, an icon in the marketing community, who died Feb. 15.
Mayer, Bruno Professor Emeritus of Retail Marketing and former head of the department of marketing at UA, was 82.
Mayer had been in failing health for several months with Parkinson’s disease but had remained a familiar figure around Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama campus where he taught marketing for more than 30 years.
Despite his failing eyesight, he had a remarkable ability to recognize voices and never lost his cheerfulness and sense of humor.
“Morris Mayer was without peer,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, “in the classroom, as a colleague, as a friend and as a mentor. I will miss him greatly.”
“He was the most unselfish man I ever knew,” Mason said. “He devoted his life to teaching and coaching. He knew that education could change lives.”
“The University of Alabama extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Morris Mayer,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “Morris served our University and the community for nearly 50 years. He was a man of great character whose sense of service to others guided his every moment. His contributions to the retailing and marketing fields are truly legendary, as are his contributions to students, the University and the community.”
Mayer was born in Demopolis but his family moved to Mobile where he graduated from high school. He served in the Army from 1944 until 1946 in the European Theater. After the war, he moved to Tuscaloosa to attend The University of Alabama where he earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1949 and taught economics for a brief period before heading for New York to earn his master of science degree in retailing from New York University in 1950. After a short stint as an assistant buyer for Abraham and Straus in New York, he was called to active duty with the Army again, until 1952. From 1952 until 1955, he worked as a buyer for Goldblatt Brothers department store in Chicago, and then earned his doctor of philosophy degree in business organization from The Ohio State University.
In 1960 he accepted a position as associate professor of marketing, which marked the start of a long and illustrious career in academia. He was promoted to professor of marketing in 1964 and served as Bruno Professor of Retail Marketing from 1986 to 1992. At the same time, he was director of the Hess Institute of Retailing Development from 1984 until 1992, and chaired the UA marketing department from 1969 until 1974. He was appointed Bruno Professor Emeritus of Marketing in 1992 upon his retirement.
During his 32 years of teaching, Mayer co-authored three highly successful textbooks on retailing, plus numerous other publications.
Mayer also found time to contribute to a number of professional and academic organizations, including serving as faculty advisor to the American Marketing Association, serving on the board of directors of the Alabama Retail Association and serving as president of the Southern Marketing Association and the American Collegiate Retailing Association.
Mayer was recognized in a variety of ways for his work including receiving the distinguished service award from Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the Burlington-Northern Award for Meritorious Teaching from the Burlington-Northern Foundation, The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the UA National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, the AMOCO Outstanding Teacher Award, the Omicron Delta Kappa Student Service Award, the Outstanding Professor Award from the Commerce Graduate Association and the Penny Allen Award for Outstanding Service to Students.
His significant contributions to marketing were recognized with the Southern Marketing Association’s Fellows Award in 1986.
The Morris Lehman Mayer Award awarded by The University of Alabama recognizes one member of the graduating class and members of the teaching faculty who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA and in the community along with making significant contributions to student life.
Mayer served on more than 100 public committees, from the Tuscaloosa Parks and Recreation Authority to the Tuscaloosa Community Orchestra Board.
He is survived by his widow, Judith Morton Mayer, and daughters Susan M. Bruchis (Marcus) of Montgomery, and Betsy Mayer of Leeds; and two grandchildren, Michael and Leah Bruchis.
The family asked that memorials be directed to:
Temple Emanu-el Building Fund, Box 3066
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
or
Morris L. Mayer Award Fund
Office of Advancement
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
If you would like to share a favorite memory of Dr. Mayer, please do so by using the following comment form.
Interview with Morris Mayer, Spring 2006
March 14th, 2008 at 10:47 am
A dear friend, a remarkable person.
His physical presence may be missed; his spirit enhances the
essence of the college and will continue to do so.
Morris’ loving nature forever embraces us all.
Lynn B. Robinson, PhD
March 14th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Wise, smart, caring, and loving … Morris Mayer embodied all that is good about the human race. His influence will continue to guide many of us for the rest of our lives. If we can become half the person he was, we will leave the world an immeasurably better place.
Roy D. Adler, PhD
March 14th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Dr. Mayer was one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met in academia. I am so glad that I took the time to call him to wish him happy birthday this past year. He and I had a wonderful time remembering my days as his doctoral student. I selected U of A because of Morris and Barry Mason, both whom served on my dissertation committee. The world of retailing will never be the same.
You will be greatly missed. My heartfelt condolesences go to Judy and the family.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
My days at the University of Alabama were enriched by the presence of Dr. Mayer & the opportunity to work with him. He served as our AMA faculty advisor. Always cheerful, Dr. Mayer was a joy to be around. He will truly be missed.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I graduated from the university in 1991. Completely confused and concerned with what I wanted to do with my life, I turned to Morris for guidance. He suggested some curriculum and some food for thought. I ended up in retail much because of his influence. I am a very senior executive at Gap Inc. and every single day that I go to work, I think of the influence he has had on my life. I am a member of several Retail councils and every single senior member I work with knew Morris and shared my affection for him. He is a source of pride for his family, for the university and for this industry. God is absolutely smiling on him.