John Tabb, first dean of business, dies Aug. 28

John R. Tabb, 77, the first dean of the College of Business, died at his Larchmont home in Norfolk Aug. 29.

Tabb's family was on campus Sept. 2 for a reception to celebrate his life with members of the university community.

A native of Iowa, Tabb earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics from Iowa State University and his doctorate in agricultural finance from Cornell University.

He joined the Army in 1943, shortly after enrolling at Iowa State. An Army veteran of World War II, Tabb fought in Europe in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was hospitalized for 2 1/2 years after suffering shrapnel wounds in March 1945.

After earning his master's in 1951, Tabb began his teaching career at South Dakota State College. He left after two years to attend Cornell, and after finishing his doctorate, Tabb came to Old Dominion in 1955 as an associate professor of economics. He spent 38 years at the university, retiring in 1993. He was on campus in May for the rededication of Constant Hall, the new home of the College of Business and Public Administration.

In a letter to former students a few years ago, Tabb recalled his decision to to come to Old Dominion. "Back in 1955, I admit I had misgivings about leaving the status of Cornell University to come to Norfolk. But Everett Hong, then head of the business department, was quite a salesman. And so was Lewis Webb [Old Dominion's first president]. I never regretted my decision."

Tabb was appointed chair of the economics department in 1956, received tenure as a full professor the next year, and was named the first dean of the School of Business in 1958. From 1966-69, he served as director of planning and development, adding responsibilities as director of institutional studies until 1974. Following this administrative role, Tabb returned to his lifelong passion, teaching economics, and for the next 19 years focused on international economics and economic development. Upon his retirement in 1993 he was named professor emeritus and dean emeritus.

Tabb's international assignments included a U.S. Agency for International Development study in Liberia, a U.N. Economic Development Commission in Saipan, a Fulbright Scholarship to the East South African Management Institute, a U.N. study in Bangladesh, and full-year teaching appointments at universities in Swansea, Wales, Shanghai, China and Lyon, France.

Tabb is survived by his wife, Waulda (Buzz). They were among the founders of Town-N-Gown.

Other survivors include four children, Jon Robert Tabb of Hopewell, Va.; James Robert Tabb of Chesapeake; Jeffrey Mark Tabb of Norfolk; and Tara Jo Tabb Hayden of Norfolk; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Jean Miriam Wilson of Ridgecrest, Calif.

Tabb was buried in his hometown of Corwith, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the John R. Tabb Scholarship Fund in Economics, c/o Vinod Agarwal, ODU Economics Department, 2044 Constant Hall, Norfolk, Va. 23529.