By Michael Novinson

Greg Kannerstein ‘63 died Tuesday of complications from mesothelioma, a form of cancer almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. He was 67.

Kannerstein spent 37 of his 41 years at Haverford as a dean, 23 years as Athletic Director and 15 years as head baseball coach. He came to Haverford in 1968 as Assistant Dean of Students, assembled the Class of 2009 as Acting Dean of Admissions and served as Dean of the College from July 2006 to July 2009.

Kannerstein began working in July as a Special Advisor to Institutional Advancement and Lecturer in General Programs when health issues forced him to take a medical leave last month. His illness was diagnosed only weeks ago.

President Dr. Stephen G. Emerson ‘74 notified students and alumni of Kannerstein’s death through an e-mail sent at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“When I saw an email from Haverford titled ‘Greg Kannerstein,’ my heart sank,” Jonathan Schwartz ‘90 wrote in the memory book on Kannerstein’s memorial webpage, http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/gregkannerstein.

The announcement of Kannerstein’s death surprised most students, administrators and alumni.

“I am in total shock after reading the e-mail I received,” Jen Suarez ‘09 wrote in the memory book. “[Kannerstein] was a great man and mentor who was willing to do anything and everything for us students at Haverford; even if it meant taking a pie to the face for a school event.”

Generations of Haverford students and staff have interacted with Kannerstein, dating back to Kannerstein’s own days as a student.

“We were roommates in the ‘armpit’ of Barclay form the time we both entered Haverford in fall 1959,” Ben Stavis wrote. “I can’t begin to recount memories, and would be too embarrassed for both of us if I tried.”

Loren Ghiglione ‘63 is the former dean of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and worked with Kannerstein on the editorial board of The Haverford News.

“It is extremely difficult for me to accept that Greg is dead,” Ghiglione wrote. “[Kannerstein] set a standard for excellence in everything he did. And yet he was filled with humility and never took himself too seriously.”

After graduating from Haverford in 1963, Kannerstein worked briefly as a sportswriter and “rewriteman” at the Philadelphia Bulletin. He then returned to the classroom, earning a master’s degree from Penn in English and folklore and a doctorate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he wrote his thesis on the desegregation of black and white colleges in several cities. Kannerstein taught numerous classes at Haverford throughout his career.

Current Haverford students know Kannerstein as the former Dean of the College, occasional course instructor, and supporter of everything from athletic teams to Honor Council to student journalism to Quaker life.

“Greg was one of the first people I met as a freshman,” Sam Gerstin ‘10 wrote. “[He] called me into his office and introduced me to a sophomore cricket player, who convinced me to come out for the team. For 3+ years, I would see [Kannerstein] walking around campus, and he would always notice me and give me a shout.”

Virtually everybody who has communicated with Kannerstein over the past several decades appreciates his passion for the institution and all of its students.

“Greg Kannerstein exemplified all that’s good about Haverford,” Misha Segal wrote. “He will willing to suffer fools – to see the potential in streams of knucklehead 18-21 year-old student-athletes like me, despite evidence (some strong) that would argue otherwise.”

Kannerstein is survived by his wife Elissa, stepdaughter Sara Slkaroff Carey, son-in-law Keven Carey and granddaughter Edie.

There will be no funeral service. A campus memorial service is being planned.

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