Lance Theodore LeLoup, who retired June 15, 2009 after a distinguished career in political science research, teaching, and administration, died July 23 at his home on Whidbey Island in Washington state. He was 60, and a three-time cancer survivor, having recently completed medical therapy for extensive lung cancer.

A highly regarded observer of the political scene, he had most recently served as vice provost of international programs for Washington State University.

Dr. LeLoup came to WSU in 1996 to serve as chair of the department of political science, a position he held until 2001. In addition, he served as director of the Thomas Foley Institute from 1998-2001. He had been head of International Programs since 2005. He was the C.O. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science from 2000-2003 and the Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor of Political Science from 2005-2008. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the rank of Regents Professor, the first faculty member from the political science department to achieve that rank.

Dr. LeLoup earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University with honors and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University. He worked as a legislative assistant to the minority leader of the Ohio State Senate before becoming a faculty member at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1974.

During his 22 years at UMSL he served as the chairman of the Department of Political Science and was one of the original directors of the Public Policy Research Center.

Dr. LeLoup had a long and distinguished career in teaching and research, and a national and international reputation as a scholar. His in-depth knowledge of the political process, as well as his quick and ready wit, led to his being frequently quoted by reporters seeking insight into current political events. Dr. LeLoup was the author of 14 books and 60 articles on politics and public policy in the U.S. and Europe. He lived in England, France, Hungary and Slovenia, and lectured around the world. He was a Professeur Invité at the Institut d’Études Politiques, University of Bordeaux-Montesquieu; Fulbright Senior Specialist at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; visiting Professor at L’Université Catholique de l’Ouest, Angers, France; and a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Public Policy at Hungary’s Budapest University.

In 2007, Dr. LeLoup received the Aaron Wildavsky Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Public Budgeting by the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, the largest section of the American Society for Public Administration. At the presentation of the award, it was stated that Dr. LeLoup had “one of the most recognized names in public budgeting with a distinguished record of research and publications that spanned more than 30 years covering a wide range of areas. There are very few people in the field today who can claim the same level of distinction and authority over such a long period of time.”

Lance lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He died surrounded by his family and friends and is survived by his wife, Pam; daughters Molly, Jenn Clodi (Jeff), and Becca; siblings Laurel, Lynn Pennington (Charlie), and Leif (Hanne); mother, Jean; aunt, Julia Cannon; and several nieces and nephews.

A small memorial service was held by family and friends on Whidbey Island. No further services are planned.

The family requests that contributions in his honor be made to the scholarship fund they have established through the WSU Foundation. Checks can be written to the WSU Foundation, Lance LeLoup Memorial, and can be sent to WSU Foundation, Pullman, WA 99164-1927. Friends and family may sign and read the online obituary and guestbook at www.visserfuneralhome.com.

Services are entrusted to Visser Funeral Home.