About Dick Wesley
Dick and his wife Virginia.
Dr. Richard B. Wesley was the generous donor who made the Forum on Political Economy at the University of Washington possible. His vision was for the Forum to be a place where political scientists and economists could come together and exchange ideas and have lively debates. Since 2015, when we began to enact Dick’s vision, this is exactly what we’ve done. Dick was an extraordinary person with an extraordinary intellect and, most impressively, an unquenchable curiosity. He was interested in economics, psychology, political science, history and current affairs. We hope we have done his vision justice and will continue to strive to honor his legacy and memory.
Here is some information about Dick from the University of Washington Political Science Department website:
Wesley was born and raised in Texas. He attended Rice University and Johns Hopkins Medical School, and completed a fellowship in pulmonary medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center. He then began a 28 year career in pulmonary medicine and critical care in Bremerton, Washington. He returned to Seattle after retiring from practice.
Dr. Wesley was also a tremendous friend and supporter of the University of Washington. During his retirement, Wesley began taking courses in the Access program. A growing interest and engagement with academic work on campus led to a variety of collaborations with faculty and graduate students in several different departments. He was an engaged student in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, and an incisive but always supportive interlocutor in discussions of research with faculty and graduate students. Dick was full of ideas about how to help foster a vibrant intellectual community on campus, and wanted very much to help to make the world a better place.
Here is a link to an article about Dick published in the New York Times before he passed.
