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Richard Vossler
March 23, 1922- July 27, 2006 |
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Richard Vossler,
(1923-2006) was an Olean,
NY
native. He graduated with a BS in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure
in 1947. After his graduation from St. Bonaventure, Vossler taught in the
Business department of the
Olean
High School
. Vossler was also a
veteran of the 87th Infantry Division and served in the European
Theater during World War II. He was
present at the
Battle
of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Richard
Vossler started his St. Bonaventure career in 1952 as an accountant in the
Business Office. In 1962 he was
named Comptroller and in 1967 he was named Vice-President for Finance and
Treasurer. Vossler was the first
lay person appointed to the post of VP for Finance and Treasurer.
In order for the University to appoint a lay person to this post the
bylaws of the University were changed; first the decision had to be approved by
the Board of Trustees, then the University’s operating constitution and bylaws
could be altered. Vossler took
the post formerly held by Rev. Aurelius Loop, OFM.
During his Bonaventure career, which lasted 35 years, Vossler helped
the University's financial strength. His
responsibilities as VP of Finance and Treasurer included management of all
University offices, for example the University’s budget, and all physical and
financial resources. He was also
responsible for the maintenance, purchasing, and food service departments as
well as the University’s auxiliary services such as the Rathskellar, the
bookstore, and the cemetery. Finally,
Vossler supervised the Office of Financial Aid.
Vossler also helped to develop plans for the
Reilly
Center, Mecom
Center, Garden Apartments, Shay-Loughlen Hall, and Hopkins Hall.
Upon Vossler’s retirement, which was January 4, 1987, he recalled that,
“When I came here there were only four buildings, Devereux Hall, Hickey Dining
Hall, De La Roche Hall, and Butler Memorial Hall.” He
also noted the improved financial position of the university and the
establishment of an endowment account. The
Very Rev. Mathias Doyle, OFM stated, “The University recognizes Mr. Vossler’s years of outstanding service as evidenced by the growth and
financial health of the institution.” Vossler’s retirement plans included spending time with his
wife, Mary Kathleen, 8 children and 22
grand children as well as gardening (He was a winner of Public Broadcasting
System's Victory Garden Contest), woodworking, traveling, fishing, and
hunting.
Vossler’s other contributions to the local area included: five
years on the Allegany Central School Board of Trustees, 24 years as a member of
the Committee by the Council of the State University of New York Agricultural
and Technical College at Alfred, and two years as a member of the Executive Board of
the Eastern Association. He also served as a member of Cattaraugus County
Legislature and on the Boards of the First National Bank of Olean, Manufacturers Hanover Bank
and St. Francis Hospital.
Vossler
was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and was awarded the St. Francis
Medal.
He
died July 27, 2006.
This page was created by Alicia Lengvarsky during the Summer of 2007. Any changes, other than
minor editing, are noted at the bottom of the page.
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