John Durham passed away on Tuesday, November 16th in San Francisco, California. His service to the profession of marketing, to our School of Management, as a member of the School of Management’s Dean Circle, and as the co-founder and CEO of Catalyst SF leaves a legacy of important work and tremendous support for our school.
Durham’s affiliation with USF began in January 1994. Since then, he’s taught numerous courses in marketing, consumer behavior, and management both in undergraduate and graduate programs. He is remembered by students as a supportive and respected professor who knew the material from a place of experience.
Most recently he was the CEO of Catalyst SF, a brand strategy advisory company. He developed the School of Management’s comprehensive marketing plan some years ago and recently offered the school the services of his firm.
SOM Dean Charles Moses offers the following words of tribute:
John and I spoke frequently. He was a passionate supporter of our school and was slated to be a key advisor to our new Marketing Strategist, who started just this week. He is fondly remembered as a snazzy dresser and bon vivant — and as a gentleman. I fondly remember his “Durhamisms”, bits of emailed wisdom that he regularly shared with his extensive network of friends and colleagues. His last one, circa November, follows:
How wise it to (sic) think about judging each day by the harvest but by the seeds of what you plant. One neglect makes 10 neglects.”
Durhamism #2870
John was loved by many and we will miss him.