The collection consists of 8x10 and 12x15 inch black and white photographs of the students in Chaffee’s various physics classes, 1977-1989. Most of the photographs have paper attached to them with an outline of each student in the photograph, as well as their name. Apparently, Prof. Chaffee used the photographs to help him identify the students during class time. An occasional syllabus, test, or experiment project outlines are included with the photographs. Chaffee’s obituary, January, 22, 1991, (a copy) is also included. The photographs are organized chronologically by school terms and then by class number.
Processing Note: Duplicate photographs, negatives, and class lists or test answers with students’ names and social security numbers were removed from the collection.
Biography:
William B. Chaffee was born on February 26, 1922, the son of Herbert L. and Gertrude (Bacon) Chaffee, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned a B. A. from Jamestown, and both a M. A. and a Ph. D. from Michigan State University.
Professor Chaffee taught various classes in the Central Michigan University Physics Department from 1977 through 1989.
On January 20, 1991, Chaffee died at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He was survived by five children, Carter, Carolyn Good, Catherine Collins, Gigi Saunders, and Robert, 14 grandchildren, and a sister, Saralou “Sallee” Garland. He was preceded in death by both of his parents. Chaffee was buried from the First Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. (This information is from his obituary, in the Morning Sun, January 22, 1991, a copy of which is in the collection.)
