Gary Gappert, 58, a longtime professor at the University of Akron, in Ohio, died Nov. 8 at Akron General Hospital. Mr. Gappert was born in Chicago and grew up in Arlington Heights, attending now-shuttered Arlington Heights High School. After receiving a doctorate in economics from Syracuse University, he spent five years in east Africa teaching with the Peace Corps and doing economic research, said Mr. Gappert’s brother, William. Mr. Gappert joined the University of Akron in 1980, eventually directing the school’s Institute for Future Studies and Research. He concentrated on socioeconomic and urban issues. The university held a memorial service for Mr. Gappert Friday. “I was surprised at the turnout. He was quite popular here in the Akron area,” William Gappert said. “He had quite a following. He touched a lot of people in different ways.” Mr. Gappert is also survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Leslie; and two sons, Gavin and Griffin.
