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Pioneering educator, professor Kuban dies

Written by Johnathan Silver, The Shorthorn staff

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 07:51 PM

Former biology professor Joe Kuban

When former biology professor Joe Kuban learned he had a terminal disease, he continued with his everyday life until he lost the ability to walk and talk. Kuban died Thursday. He was 59.

Kuban taught at UTA from 2001 and resigned for health reasons after spring 2008. He was diagnosed in 2007 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Kuban was the lead vocalist in the Joe Kuban and the Lost Chizo Band. Kuban composed many wedding songs, liturgical music, rock ’n’ roll and country tunes.

He began showing symptoms during performances, said Tim Henry, a band mate and biology and Honors College lecturer.

Kuban established the first high school level ecology program in the country at Fort Worth’s Nolan Catholic High School in 1974.

He took students on trips across America and Costa Rica and particularly liked Big Bend National Park, Henry said.

“Joe was a prolific musician,” he said. “He was also an incredible instructor.”

In addition to friends, family and teaching, Kuban cherished music, Henry said. He devoted much of his energy to his final album with the Lost Chizo Band.

“If you listen closely, you can hear him having trouble breathing,” he said. “We did everything we could to get it out before he lost his voice.”

Kuban was a great teacher and students loved him, said Greg Hale, College of Science assistant dean. Kuban taught students who wanted to be educators.

“He shared his passion for teaching with his students,” Hale said. “He charged their batteries up for teaching.”

Kuban sang songs he wrote about Big Bend to his students to creatively teach ecology and biology.

Kuban loved to learn and share knowledge, said Natalie Hubbard, a doctoral student, Nolan science teacher and former colleague of Kuban.

Hubbard drove Kuban around when ALS took his ability to drive. It was the last trip UTA students took with Kuban to Big Bend.

“He would never let the disease get him down,” she said. “He was the real deal. If he passed a plant or an animal he usually knew what it was, but when he didn’t he would find out.”

Although ALS is incurable, Henry believes medical advances can change victims’ circumstances.

Kuban graduated from UTA with a bachelor’s in 1972 and a master’s in 1974 and earned a doctorate degree from Syracuse University in 1989.

Memorial mass was held at the Hartnett Arena on Nolan’s campus Monday.

The service drew hundreds of mourners according to The Fort Worth Weekly. Kuban was described as one who embraced his eminent death, “with a stoic grin and a twinkle in his eye.”

Clerics and former students delivered the eulogy.

Four sons and stepsons, four siblings, three grandchildren and a wife survive Kuban.

Correction

An earlier version of this story appeared in print on June 10, 2009 and on www.theshorthorn.com with incorrect information. This version has been amended with the correct information.

Correction

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