"Fascinating" was one of this veteran educator's favorite words.
John B. Breazeale, who joined the faculty of the University of Wichita in 1959 as associate professor of physics, was fascinated with the Internet, playing the organ, tinkering with clocks — in fact, with just about everything.
During his three decades at Wichita State, he served as graduate school dean, executive vice president for academic affairs and as the first director of the National Institute for Aviation Research. Respected as a fair-minded leader and problem-solver who got things done, Breazeale was dedicated to strengthening WSU’s educational offerings and was key in the development of the university’s doctoral programs.
For his service to Wichita State, he was presented a Recognition Award in 1987 and the Laura M. Cross Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
During the 1996 awards ceremony, Breazeale showed a video clip of skydiving, an experience he first tried on his 70th birthday. Ever the educator, he described the event like this: “Did you know it takes 30 minutes to get up to 100,000 feet? I had not anticipated the force with which the wind blows in your face.”
When asked why he made the jump, he explained, “It seemed so graceful, the ability to turn and the freedom associated with the motion. It always seemed to me to be a fascinating kind of a ride.”
John Ballard Breazeale died June 6 in Houston.
