Herschel Grossman, a professor of economics at Brown since 1964, died of natural causes Saturday morning while attending a conference in Marseilles, France.
The official cause of Grossman's death has not been determined, and several of Grossman's colleagues described him as having been in good physical health. An e-mail to students in Grossman's classes said he died of "what appears to be a heart attack."
"I think most of us were not aware of any problem," said Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Economics Rajiv Vohra when asked whether Grossman had any pre-existing medical condition. "He was absolutely fit, and no one could ever imagine anything like this would happen."
Grossman, who was 65, was teaching EC 122: "Monetary and Fiscal Policy" and EC 182: "Economics of Appropriative Conflict" this semester. The department is currently working to find people who can cover these classes for the remainder of the semester, Dean of the College Paul Armstrong wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.
The department notified students currently enrolled in these courses that no class will be held this week. Andrew Foster, professor of economics and acting chair of the department, said he expects the classes to resume next Tuesday.
"Possibly different faculty and possibly graduate students will be fitting in where appropriate," Foster said.
Grossman's colleagues described him as an active member of the economics department who significantly affected its direction and development during his 40-year career at Brown.
He served two stints as department chair, the first lasting from 1982 to 1985 and the second from 1986 to 1991.
Foster called Grossman "one of the most prominent members of the department" and praised his role in developing its macroeconomics branch.
In addition to his work as a faculty member, Grossman's research "had a profound impact on the discipline of economics," Foster said, citing as an example his most recent studies on political economy.
Vohra said Grossman was "constantly on the go" throughout his entire career.
"That's one reason why (Grossman's death is) such a big shock to us," Vohra said. "He was fully engaged in everything that was going on. He had an opinion on everything, and he was a man of action."
Vohra said this proactive mentality helped Grossman wield "an enormous influence" in guiding the future planning and direction of the department.
"He didn't have much patience for debating everything," he said. "He really was someone who wanted to get things done."
Foster said Grossman's death is a loss for both the economics department and the University as a whole.
Vohra also said Grossman's passing poses "a big void" for the University.
"He really was a presence," Vohra said.
Grossman is survived by his wife and children.
