John Duff Obituary

Duff, Dr. John B. Former City of Chicago Public Library commissioner and past president of Columbia College Chicago, Dr. John B. Duff, 82, died October 1 in Palm Desert, California, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. During his presidency from 1992-2000, Duff saw Columbia College Chicago was a driving figure in setting the stage for the tremendous growth the college saw from the late 1990s. His vision was key in expanding the South Loop footprint of Columbia College, including the college's first residence hall and additional historic buildings still used today. Before coming to Columbia College, Duff was the first non-librarian appointed as commissioner of the Chicago Public Library system. Appointed in 1985, he supervised construction of the iconic Harold Washington Library. Dr. Duff also served as the first president of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and as first chancellor of the Massachusetts Board of Regents. Dr. Duff earned three degrees from New York City institutions (B.S. Fordham University; M.A. Seton Hall University; and Ph.D., Columbia University). He is survived by his wife, Estelle Shanley; three sons, Michael, John and Robert; two other daughters, Maureen and Emily; and eight grandchildren. Memorial services in Chicago and New Jersey are being planned. A memorial tribute fund has been set up by Dr. Duff's family: "In memory of Dr. John Duff", Five Star/Alzheimer's Fund, Eisenhower Medical Center Beacon Hill, Palm Desert, California, 92211.