Professor Emeritus Allen Corbett

Professor Emeritus, Allen P. Corbett, of the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, died May 28, 2017, with his wife Eileen and friends by his side. Born April 17, 1939, in Camden, Professor Corbett was the son of the late Robert Allen Corbett of Wagener and Melba Louise Hegler Corbett of Kershaw. In 1948, at age 9, he contracted severe paralytic polio that nearly claimed his life. Confined for life to a wheelchair, he completed academic studies at home and graduated from Columbia High School in 1957 despite having not attended public school except for the first two grades. Through rehab at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center in Georgia, founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1927, Professor Corbett found the hope and determination to lead an independent life in spite of disabilities. In July, 1957, he moved to Washington, DC, and completed his BS Degree in Business Administration and Statistics from American University in 1961. In his sophomore year, he received an appointment as a Summer Fellow for the world renowned cardiologist, W. Proctor Harvey, Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and Chairman of the Division of Cardiology. This was the beginning of a life-long friendship with a distinguished man of medicine. In 1961, he accepted a position with the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, DC, as a Medical Aid. He was assigned to the Georgetown Clinical Research Institute which was actively involved in clinical research focused on the physiologic aging of pilots. He eventually was appointed as Biomedical Statistician for the Institute. This involved the statistical analysis and extensive clinical data on airline pilots. During this time, he worked for the eminent neurosurgeon, Dr. Arthur T. Wentz, Director of the Institute. In July, 1965, he returned to Columbia and began his career at the University of South Carolina as a Computer Programmer and Lecturer in Computer Science for the data processing center on the Columbia campus. During this time, he attended graduate school and earned an MBA from the Moore School of Business in 1969. During this time, he taught several courses in Computer Science and served as Research Assistant for doctoral students. In 1971, he accepted an appointment as Research Supervisor for the former South Carolina Employment Security Commission in Columbia. His research focused on insured unemployment data, occupational/industry employment trends, and other areas of an economic nature. In 1973, he was invited by Dr. James F. Kane, Dean of the School of Business, to become Director of the James C. Self Computer Center as well as Lecturer in Management Information systems. In 1984, he was granted tenure as Assistant Professor of Management Science with a specialty in management information systems. From that time until his retirement in April, 2004, he was actively involved in teaching undergraduate and graduate class in MIS as well as conducting his own research. Post-retirement, Professor Corbett returned to the classroom as adjunct faculty. He loved teaching young people, inspiring and mentoring many young adults at the University of South Carolina and in the community. During the 1970s and 1980s, he became actively involved in the civil rights movement for persons with disabilities. He worked with the South Carolina General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the Easter Seals Society, and many other organizations. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all persons with disabilities and to promote their independence in society. He developed the first computer based information system of statewide services for people with disabilities, which is still in use today. He was the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious national Elmer Bartel National Leadership Award granted in 1993. He was listed in numerous publications including Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in the Southeast, Community Leaders of the World, and many others. One of Professor Corbett’s many interests was military history. He had a great love of and respect for men and women in the military. His father and uncle served in the Army and Navy respectively in World War II; his Uncle Sonny was a survivor of the Battle of Normandy. Professor Corbett served as president of the Columbia Council of the Navy League of the US for several years in support of the military and education of the public as to the value of sea services. Professor Corbett was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia and a committed follower of Jesus Christ. Professor Corbett demonstrated the courage, endurance, compassion, and the love of Christ. He lived by the words of St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” A couple of his favorite lines were, “God is sovereign, we have no control;” and “Life is about soldiering through the tough spots.” These two notions characterized Al’s life: grace and resiliency. He was a source of inspiration for many. He is survived by his beloved wife Eileen Schleelein; cousins Fowler Hegler (Tarisa) of Charlotte, NC, Judy Faile (Curtis) of Kershaw, SC, Sandy Blackmon of Lancaster, SC; Janis Pippen Wadsworth of New Ellenton, SC; Wayne Pippen (Deweese) of Wagener, SC; Stephen Pippen (Donna) of North Augusta, SC; Nancy Cully and Carol Ann Coggins (Harold ) both of West Columbia, SC; Linda Holliday (David) of Spartanburg; Barbra Streett of Columbia, SC; Brenda Haile of Johns Island, SC; Howard Corbett (Jackie) of Anderson, SC; Patty Homa (Michael) of Hampsted, NC; Chris Maggio (Christine) of South Riding, VA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Professor Corbett was preceded in death by two brothers who died in infancy and cousins Dixie Lee Laney and George Hegler. A funeral service will be held 11o’clock, Friday, June 2nd at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock, Thursday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.

Tributes

Professor Emeritus Allen Corbett

April 17, 1939 - May 28, 2017