GENESEO – The following is a statement by SUNY Geneseo President Denise Battles:
The SUNY Geneseo campus is saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Don Lackey, and we are grieving with the entire Geneseo community. We send our sincere condolences to Nancy Lackey and other members of Don’s family.
Don was highly respected as a human resources professional at SUNY Geneseo and a person committed to service. He started working at the College in 1973 and remained until his retirement in 2002, having served in various capacities, including personnel director and later assistant vice president for human resources.
Don was the cornerstone of our active Geneseo Emeriti Group on campus, having led the group for the past ten years and bringing the members together at least twice a year. He frequently brought speakers from the campus to talk with the group about current events at the College. He also was an active member of the SUNY-wide Retiree Service Corps.
Don received the SUNY Human Resources Association Ted Barber Distinguished Human Resources Award in 1992. The award is given to an individual who has contributed to the field of human resources management in a unique and/or distinguished manner; demonstrates creativity, initiative, human relations skills, planning and organizing in human resources; and exhibits an enthusiastic, dedicated and humanistic approach to the profession.
He had remained active on our campus since his retirement as a member of the Interfaith Center Board of Directors, which he chaired for a number of years. Just this past Saturday, he worked with a group of our students during the annual Knights First Day of Service. He also was an active member of the Roundtable Athletic Association and served on its advisory board for several years. He also was a dedicated hockey fan and could be seen at every home hockey game standing at the rail behind the home bench.
We have lost a cherished member of the Geneseo family, and that loss reminds us how precious life is. May the examples Don set as a consummate professional and dedicated servant be a model for us all.