Gerald Dougherty

Gerry, as he was lovingly called, was definitely the kind of person who lit up every room he entered. You could not ignore Gerry. His personality was outsized and, as a Villanova professor, he could always be heard throughout the building when he was teaching.

Gerry graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1953. His love for the Christian Brothers who taught him remained strong until he died.

He started at Villanova in 1954 after working for a year to save money for tuition. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He followed that up with an MBA from Temple in 1966. In that time, he also got his CPA and began working in public accounting.

In 1955, Gerry met Sally Uphoff, his future bride. The two of them danced around each other for several years until tying the knot in 1965 at their parish church, St. Denis.

He started his career at Villanova in 1960. He quickly became a beloved professor, earning the title of Assistant Dean and then Acting Dean of the business school in 1974. He was awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1975. He continued to teach and develop relationships with his students and colleagues throughout the years. In 2001, he was recognized yet again for his dedication to teaching with the naming of a classroom after him. Several years later, a generous donor set up an award for teaching excellence named The Gerald Dougherty Award for Distinguished Teaching. This award is presented annually to the best professors in the Villanova School of Business.

He retired from teaching in 2017, only months before his death. In addition to his distinguished career, he was an amazing father and grandfather, a dedicated husband, a reliable son and brother, uncle, and friend. He was always there for everyone. When something happened, everyone called Gerry, knowing he would step up and help.

To say he was a rabid sports fan doesn’t even cover it. He was especially dedicated to Villanova basketball. When they won the national championship in 1985 and again in 2016, he said he could die a happy man. When he passed in February 2018, Villanova won the championship just two months later. We know he was watching over the team!

He attended the Penn Relays every year of his life starting at age 13 in 1949. His daughter, Eileen, attended with him year after year. Kate and Eileen both frequented the basketball games with their dad throughout the years.

His grandchildren, Andrew and Nicole, were his pride and joy, as were his two daughters, Eileen and Kathleen. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally, his two daughters, two grandchildren, one great granddaughter named Audrey Jane, and his sister, Carol Haeberle, as well as many nieces and nephews.