Former university professor killed in traffic accident
Ryan O'Reilly
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: News
The St. Bonaventure and Olean communities experienced a loss when former German professor and Olean Community Theater member, Leslie Badanes, died in a car accident March 24.
Badanes, who was 67, was traveling west on Route 6 in Liberty Township, Penn., when he crossed the centerline and struck a pickup truck driven by Ronald K. Gehman, 61, head on.
Police said both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The university flew its flag at half-staff for Badanes last Friday, the day his funeral services were held.
Frank J. Bianco, associate professor of modern languages, came to St. Bonaventure in 1969 and immediately struck a relationship with Badanes.
"He became one of my best friends when I got here," Bianco said. "Our families were friends and it was just a good relationship for a long time."
Patrick Panzarella, English professor and faculty member at Bonaventure since 1967, had fond memories of his former colleague.
"I was a colleague of his for the full tenure of him being here," Panzarella said. "He was a very, very friendly, sociable guy. He really loved teaching and was a really good German teacher."
Margaret F. Mazon, associate professor of modern languages, has been a member of St. Bonaventure since 1980. She said Badanes was intellectually curious, and a good friend.
"He was a good friend," she said. "Any time something was going on in my life, even after he left, he maintained contact and anytime I had any crisis or something going on, he was always there."
Badanes was a part of the Bonaventure community from 1968 to 1994. In 1994, the university made cutbacks on certain programs, and German was one of those cut, according to Panzarella. After leaving the university, he became an active member in the Olean Community Theater.
Richard Simpson, English professor, said the cutbacks were unfortunate for those who lost jobs. He said losing Badanes was a noticeable loss for St. Bonaventure.
Badanes, who was 67, was traveling west on Route 6 in Liberty Township, Penn., when he crossed the centerline and struck a pickup truck driven by Ronald K. Gehman, 61, head on.
Police said both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The university flew its flag at half-staff for Badanes last Friday, the day his funeral services were held.
Frank J. Bianco, associate professor of modern languages, came to St. Bonaventure in 1969 and immediately struck a relationship with Badanes.
"He became one of my best friends when I got here," Bianco said. "Our families were friends and it was just a good relationship for a long time."
Patrick Panzarella, English professor and faculty member at Bonaventure since 1967, had fond memories of his former colleague.
"I was a colleague of his for the full tenure of him being here," Panzarella said. "He was a very, very friendly, sociable guy. He really loved teaching and was a really good German teacher."
Margaret F. Mazon, associate professor of modern languages, has been a member of St. Bonaventure since 1980. She said Badanes was intellectually curious, and a good friend.
"He was a good friend," she said. "Any time something was going on in my life, even after he left, he maintained contact and anytime I had any crisis or something going on, he was always there."
Badanes was a part of the Bonaventure community from 1968 to 1994. In 1994, the university made cutbacks on certain programs, and German was one of those cut, according to Panzarella. After leaving the university, he became an active member in the Olean Community Theater.
Richard Simpson, English professor, said the cutbacks were unfortunate for those who lost jobs. He said losing Badanes was a noticeable loss for St. Bonaventure.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
ardonansg@comcast.net
posted 4/03/09 @ 1:45 PM EST
Dr. Badanes taught the first class i ever attended on my first day at Bona's. He was a good teacher and he will be missed.
Gail Burkhartt-Orione
posted 1/12/10 @ 1:00 PM EST
Dr. Badanes had a profound influence on me, both as a learner and personally. I have been teaching German almost 30 years because of my experiences with hi. (Continued…)
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