Dennis Bradshaw

Dr. Dennis Bradshaw, dearly loved son of Ivan and Ann Bradshaw, passed away April 22, 2008. Dr. Bradshaw was an Associate Professor of Philosophy at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he was a member of the academic community for more than 16 years, and where he contributed his expertise in many ways. His academic degrees included a B.A. (Summa cum laude) in Psychology from Mankato State University and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Iowa. He was awarded fellowships from the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, the University of Iowa, and The University of Texas at Arlington. A specialist in metaphysics, the philosophy of language and cognition, and 20th century analytic philosophy, Dr. Bradshaw published numerous articles and book chapters, and was at work on a book project. His work was cited internationally and he was often invited to serve as a reviewer of manuscripts for journals and book publishers, and to serve as a respondent at the American Philosophical Association and other conferences. After teaching at Memphis State University and the University of Kentucky, Dr. Bradshaw came to The University of Texas at Arlington as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy in 1992. He taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, epistemology, logic, and critical thinking. He was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor in 1999. He served The University of Texas at Arlington in many roles, most notably as Chair of the Department of Philosophy & Humanities, serving with distinction in that position from 1999 to the rest of his life. Under his leadership, a joint Ph.D. program with the University of North Texas was inaugurated. His dedicated and thoughtful service was appreciated by the students in the Philosophy Club and the honor society Phi Sigma Tau (for which he served as faculty advisor for nine years), and faculty members in the Department of Philosophy & Humanities, the College of Liberal Arts and the entire University of Texas at Arlington. He was a member of many organizations and committees, including Faculty Senate (where he chaired several committees and served for six years), Undergraduate Assembly, the University Academic Standards Committee, the University-Wide Core Curriculum Committee, the Program Review Committee, the Committee on Research Integrity, the SACS Reaffirmation Quality Enhancement Program Steering Committee, and the Phi Kappa Phi Steering Committee. His life was one of exemplary service to the discipline of philosophy, to education, and to the highest standards of behavior. His legacy inspires all of us. The faculty, staff and students of the Department of Philosophy & Humanities, the College of Liberal Arts, and The University of Texas at Arlington have benefited from his guidance, good humor, patience and thoughtful understanding. In Arlington, Texas, his family extended to his friends, and neighbors who held him in high regard. We will miss him deeply. Survivors: his parents, Ivan and Annie Bradshaw of Bull Shoals Funeral: Memorial Service, Arlington, Texas, May 5, 2008