B. J. "Jack" WIDICK 1910-2008 Serbia - Ohio - Michigan
Replies: 0
B. J. "Jack" WIDICK 1910-2008 Serbia - Ohio - Michigan
Professor B. J. Widick, age 97, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Known as "B.J." or "Jack," he was born on October 25, 1910, in the Serbian village of Okucani, and was brought by his father to the U.S. just prior to World War I. After graduating from the University of Akron, he found work as a journalist at the Akron Beacon Journal and then became involved in the 1930's Labor Movement, setting up a research department and newspaper for the Rubber Workers' union, and assisting in the '36-'37 Flint-GM sit-down strike by the Auto Workers. In 1937, he spent time in Mexico with Leon Trotsky as well as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. After serving as a sergeant in World War II, he cleared his name before the House Committee on Un-American Activities and exonerated others of alleged CP membership in the 1950's. He said Walter Reuther had never joined the party, explaining: "I do not believe he could ever have subordinated himself to the mediocrities who ran the Party." He also in the 1950's served as a chief steward of UAW Local 7 and worked toward his Master's degree in economics from Wayne State University where he taught before becoming a professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. Over the years he authored numerous articles and books, including Detroit: City of Race and Class Violence. He retired from Columbia in 1983 and spent his remaining years in Ann Arbor.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Brian and Marshall; daughter-in-law, Patty; and granddaughter, Lydia.
Published in the Akron Beacon Journal from 7/2/2008 - 7/6/2008.
Courtesy Post Only
Summit
Known as "B.J." or "Jack," he was born on October 25, 1910, in the Serbian village of Okucani, and was brought by his father to the U.S. just prior to World War I. After graduating from the University of Akron, he found work as a journalist at the Akron Beacon Journal and then became involved in the 1930's Labor Movement, setting up a research department and newspaper for the Rubber Workers' union, and assisting in the '36-'37 Flint-GM sit-down strike by the Auto Workers. In 1937, he spent time in Mexico with Leon Trotsky as well as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. After serving as a sergeant in World War II, he cleared his name before the House Committee on Un-American Activities and exonerated others of alleged CP membership in the 1950's. He said Walter Reuther had never joined the party, explaining: "I do not believe he could ever have subordinated himself to the mediocrities who ran the Party." He also in the 1950's served as a chief steward of UAW Local 7 and worked toward his Master's degree in economics from Wayne State University where he taught before becoming a professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. Over the years he authored numerous articles and books, including Detroit: City of Race and Class Violence. He retired from Columbia in 1983 and spent his remaining years in Ann Arbor.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Brian and Marshall; daughter-in-law, Patty; and granddaughter, Lydia.
Published in the Akron Beacon Journal from 7/2/2008 - 7/6/2008.
Courtesy Post Only
Summit