Dr. William Michael ("Bill") Jensen (IABE '64)

January 21, 1942 - October 10, 2016

Dr. William Michael ("Bill") Jensen (IABE '64), a renowned professor of Art History whose research focused on the works of Michelangelo, entered the Chapter Eternal on October 10, 2016 following a battle with cancer. He was age 74.

Dr. Jensen was born January 21, 1942 in Hampton, IA, to Gennetta (Towle) and Howard Jensen. He was an outstanding student and excelled at sports, playing varsity football, basketball, track and golf.

He attended the University of Iowa and pledged the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was initiated into the fraternity on October 7, 1961 and received badge number 112622. Jensen was active in the Chapter and served as Eminent Archon among other roles.

Steve Schultz (IABE '65) was very good friends with brother Jensen.

"Bill was my roommate one semester and, of course, he became EA, which was a remarkably fine choice for the chapter to make, because I know that he arrived on campus as a freshman already embodying the qualities of 'The True Gentleman' without having to be taught those qualities," said Schultz.

"Bill's occupational goals were in place as a sophomore, when he told me he was studying Greek in order to become a better art historian and professor. He had grace and maturity beyond most of us at that young age. It's obvious from his notoriety and successes that we should all take some pride having known someone so successful in a field as cultured as Bill's chosen profession.

"He rose to the absolute top of the heap, didn't he? Best wishes, and godspeed, Bill."

After receiving his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art History at the University of Iowa, Jensen attended graduate school at the University of Michigan where he earned his Ph.D. He was elected to the school's Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, whose members are the top ten percent of all Ph.D. graduates.

He received a Fulbright grant in 1968 to conduct his dissertation research on a group of Roman tomb sculptures housed in the Vatican Museum. While in Rome, he traveled with his wife, Linda (an SAE Little Sister), and daughter, Tara, across Europe.

"Bill and Linda were simply 'class acts' and models for all of us to emulate," said Bruce Pieper (IABE '65) "Bill Jensen was a great leader, athlete, and, most certainly, a scholar. In addition, he exemplified the attributes aspired to in SAE’s creed: 'The True Gentleman'."

Ironically, Jensen died on the anniversary of the first date with Linda Hansen, who was his bride of 52 years.

Upon his return to the U.S., Bill taught art history for seven years at Ohio State. In 1976, he accepted a position at Baylor University, retiring as a full profession in 2011. He was subsequently honored as a Professor Emeritus.

He was the inaugural director of the Martin Museum of Art at Baylor, where he set up an exhibit of an original Guttenberg Bible. He was active on numerous committees and was a member of the archaeological Institute of America, the Midwest Art History society and the College Art Association of America.

A strong, principled man of character, he was devoted to his family and enjoyed travel, golf, reading and landscaping. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes fan as well as a long-time fan of the Baylor Bears.

"On behalf of all Iowa Beta Alumni, we send our deepest sympathies to Bill Jensen's family," said Iowa Beta Alumni Association president
Marc Rosenow (IABE '86).

"Brother Jensen is remembered by his fraternity brothers as a genteel soul and great scholar with a quick wit who loved his family and friends. To everyone who knew him, Bill was a genuine Brother Hero and the epitome of a True Gentleman. It is brothers like Bill Jensen who give Iowa Beta such a rich heritage. He will be deeply missed."

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Tara Noelle Jensen and her fiancé Jefferson Jackson; Eden Blythe Radcliffe and husband, Kris: Elizabeth Nicole (Libby) Cain and husband, Lance; and grandchildren, Victoria Paige (Tori) Karger, Courtney Lauren Karger, and Mason Lance Cain; and many nieces and nephews. His also is survived by his sister, Jean Williams, and husband, Jim; and sister-in-law, Beverly Brown and husband, Bob.

“May the memory of his good deeds and the example of his noble life ever abide with us as a lasting heritage throughout all succeeding generations.”
-- The Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon