UAA history professor dies

The University of Alaska Anchorage history and East Asian history departments lost a prominent professor. Dr. Paul Dunscomb died on March 5 from a “short illness,” according to a memorial article from the Association of Asian Studies. Many students and faculty were impacted by Dunscomb’s death.

Originally from New York, Dunscomb served as a professor at UAA since 2001. He also held the position of the UAA Department of History chair for six years.

Dunscomb’s memorial statement was written by Dr. William M. Tsutsui. 

“As a professor at UAA for nearly twenty four years, Dr. Dunscomb instructed thousands of students. A specialist in Japanese history, Dr. Dunscomb was instrumental to the History Department and well known throughout our community,” wrote Tsutsui. “He was also a prolific scholar who published widely, including his most recent book on the economic and cultural impact baseball has had on modern Japan.” 

Dunscomb was an accomplished writer. His works include, “The Crisis in Pro Baseball and Japan’s Lost Decade: The Curious Resilience of Heisei Japan” and “Japan’s Siberian Intervention, 1918-1922: ‘A Great Disobedience Against the People.” 

His textbook “Japan Since 1945” is an influential history textbook used at several universities, according to the memorial article.

In addition to being a professor and writer, Dunscomb worked on the Executive Board of the Japanese Studies Association. He also was co-chair of the Asian Studies Development Program. Dumscomb also attended conferences and led workshops in Japan.

Dunscomb had a reputation among students as having a large and vibrant personality, and gave memorable and engaging lectures.

History major Eli Williamson spoke with The Northern Light about Dunscomb. “I believe one of my history faculty described him as a force of nature and I think that's fitting. He was an extremely great orator,” said Williamson.

“The one [class] that stands out was Modern Japan because that's his, that's what he's an expert at, being an East Asian professor and having studied Japanese history extensively, and he was extremely knowledgeable and one of the best lecturers that I've taken. Modern Japan might be my favorite class that I've taken as a history major.” 

In an email with The Northern Light, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jenny McNulty said, “Paul Dunscomb was a valuable member of the History Department and we all are feeling his loss.”

McNulty wrote the department is making plans to hire a new faculty member and will continue to offer a variety of history courses.

“History Professor Emerita Liz Dennison is teaching Dr. Dunscomb classes this semester. We are fortunate that Dr. Dennison was available; she expressed her desire to teach these classes as a way to honor her colleague and long time friend. The students are in good hands with Professor Dennison,” wrote McNulty.