In Memoriam: Michael Doc Stoddard

Michael Stoddard, a long time lecturer in the Political Science Department at San Diego State University, passed away on July 22 from cancer. He was 74 years old.

“The department and the campus community are deeply saddened by Doc Stoddard's passing. He was an inspiration to many students,” said Madhavi McCall, chair of the Political Science Department at SDSU.

Stoddard was born in Seattle and earned his earned his Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles in 1969. His interests were in international relations, Soviet politics and foreign policy, and American government and politics. Known as “Doc Stoddard,” he came to SDSU in 1980.

A beloved instructor, Stoddard won numerous awards for his teaching, and was a six time winner of The Daily Aztec’s “Best Professor” award as well as a five time winner of the “Outstanding Service Award” from Associated Students. Stoddard not only impacted students through his teaching, but also through the study abroad program he led to Oxford, England, which he started in 2000.

Stoddard had an extensive career. Besides teaching at SDSU, he had been an instructor at Pomona College, Claremont Graduate School, University of San Diego, Chapman University, and the U.S. Navy. He was the owner-operator of Stoddard, Chevrolet and president of Albany Properties, Inc., both in Albany, Oregon.

He has been a consultant on task forces for four presidential cabinets including George Bush, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, as well as a consultant to the Inaugural Committee for the President of the United States in 1981, 1989, 2001 and 2005.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2014 in the theater at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.