A public memorial for Professor Emeritus Orme Phelps will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. Professor Phelps, 96, died July 3 at his home in Claremont following a brief illness.
The former dean of the faculty and legendary professor of economics was one of the first faculty members recruited in 1947 by founding President George C.S. Benson for the new Claremont Men's College. Phelps held three degrees from the University of Chicago and was a distinguished young professor in its graduate school of business when he decided to give Claremont a one-year try, eventually retiring after a distinguished 27-year career teaching and mentoring many of today's business leaders.
Historian Kevin Starr described Professor Phelps as "A college professor from central casting for mid-century Americastudents appreciated him not only because he taught well, kept generous office hours, and published frequently, but also because he seemed the real McCoy.'"
He was born in the Oklahoma Territory on July 5, 1906, the son of a Union soldier who studied with Abraham Lincoln's law partner. He worked more than 40 jobs during high school and college, and continually drew upon that experience in teaching labor economics. Professor Phelps' textbook, Introduction to Labor Economics, was required at more than 80 colleges and universities.
"Orme Phelps was a treasured friend to Claremont McKenna College, an irreplaceable link to the College's earliest days, and an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be missed," said President Pamela Gann.
Although Professor Phelps retired in 1974, he remained an active and important part of the CMC community, meeting with students last summer and attending numerous College events, including this year's CMS Athletic Hall of Fame reception. An avid athlete, he climbed trees well into his 70s and rode his bicycle at 90. Orme and his wife, Barbara, who retired following a long career at Honnold Library, have been strong supporters of the College in many ways, and their recent gift is the largest given to CMC by a current or retired full-time faculty member.
In addition to Barbara, he is survived by his son, Jackson Phelps, of Portland, Oregon; son-in-law and daughter, Ted and Sally Phelps Smith, of Cleveland, Ohio; four stepchildren, Joseph, William, and Thomas Green, and Donna Hutchins; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, niece, and nephew. His wife of 40 years, Jean Wright Phelps, died in 1980. The Phelps family has requested that donations be made to the Orme Phelps Scholarship Fund at CMC in lieu of flowers.