Lawrence mourns loss of retired economics professor Jules LaRocque

Jules LaRocque, a professor in Lawrence University’s Economics Department for nearly four decades, passed away Nov. 30 at his home in Marlborough, New Hampshire. He was 87.

He joined the Lawrence faculty in 1963 and continued to teach until his retirement in 2001. He chaired the Economics Department during several stints in the 1970s and 1980s. He also was a frequent instructor in the Freshman Studies program, served for many years as the campus coordinator for the then-named Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows Program (now the Visiting Fellows Program of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars), and provided leadership in the early years of the London Centre.

LaRocque focused his work in the areas of economic history of the United States, economic development, economies in transition, political economy, and financial institutions.

He was born on June 20, 1933, in Berlin, New Hampshire, and was the youngest of three children. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict, then attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and eventually a doctorate in economics.

He taught for two years at St. Ambrose College in Iowa before moving to Wisconsin to begin work on the faculty at Lawrence, forging a bond that would last a lifetime.

After retiring from Lawrence, LaRocque moved back to New Hampshire, where he enjoyed teaching adult enrichment classes at Keane State University. His other interests included family, classical music, opera, reading, tennis, bicycling, skiing, and hiking.

He is survived by his son, Marc (Sue Tyson) LaRocque of Sacramento, California; and a daughter, Lisa (Jeffrey) Gartman of East Troy, Wisconsin.

At his request, no services will be held. The family has asked that gifts in memory of LaRocque be sent to the Office of Development, Lawrence University, 711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton, WI 54911.