Economics professor Oswald A. Honkalehto taught at Colgate from 1962 to 1995.
Oswald (Ozzie) A. Honkalehto, professor of economics emeritus who taught at Colgate from 1962 to 1995, died Sunday, December 29, 2013, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Honkalehto taught courses in macroeconomics, statistics, econometrics, and the department’s honors seminar, which he originated. He also was responsible for developing the mathematical economics concentration soon after his arrival at Colgate.
In addition, Honkalehto led the London economics study group on eight occasions and was the first faculty member to add the study of the European Common Market, with an extended stay in Luxembourg, to the London study experience.
Honkalehto was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, MS, PhD). In addition to these many contributions to campus life and off-campus study, he was known as a great tennis and squash player, racking up five victories in Colgate’s faculty-staff tennis tournaments. He continued to play competitively right through his 80th birthday.
He is survived by his wife, Corinne Rogers Honkalehto of Hamilton; their two daughters Taina Honkalehto of Seattle, Wash., and Liisa Rogers of Boise, Idaho; his sister, Helvie, and brother, Harold; and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held in Hamilton in early 2014, with information to be shared once the details are settled. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to either the Colgate Department of Economics or to Colgate tennis, (www.colgate.edu/makeagift); or to Resources for the Future, (www.rff.org/support).