Austin Hoggatt, a professor emeritus at the Haas school of Business, died of congestive heart failure in his Oakland home on April 28. He was 79.

Hoggatt, who retired in 1991, was considered a pioneer in business, economics and computing by colleagues and students.

"He was never boring," said Patricia Hoggatt, his wife of 57 years. "He was interested in so many things in the world."

Hoggatt joined the school in 1957 after receiving a doctorate in economics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

At the school, Hoggatt worked in a wide range of academic fields. His work in research and consulting included topics in management science, experimental economics, and the savings and loan industry.

"He had this ability to take these esoteric theories and translate them into practical implementation," said Sam Gill, a professor of information systems at San Francisco State University and a former research assistant of Hoggatt's.

Hoggatt was also a pioneer in the use of computer simulations at a time when computer expertise was rare, said Haas Professor Thomas Marschak.

"Back then, computers were a novelty," Marschak said. "Being a pioneer mean that you were personally committed."

According to Gill, Hoggatt contribute to many fields outside of economics.

"By training he was an economist, but he was actually one of the best computer people I have ever met," Gill said. "He was sort of a Renaissance man-if he set his mind to it, he could accomplish anything he wanted."

Hoggatt taught statistics, mathematics and quantitative methods. He was an engaging teacher who challenged students to apply theory to the real world, according to friend and former student Brooks Gelfand.

"He made you stretch your imagination and apply everything you have learned," Gelfand said.

Hoggatt also held appointments as a visiting professor at the Universidad de Chile, Stanford University and the University of Bielefeld in Germany.

"He travelled a lot," said Wendy Hoggatt-Tickell, his youngest daughter. "He loved collecting art from around the world."

She said her father was an avid sailor and fisherman, and enjoyed playing the piano and flamenco guitar.

Hoggatt is survived by his wife and four daughters Lynn, Tina, Dawn and Wendy.

"He really lived his life," Patricia Hoggatt said. "He didn't just sit back and let other people do things-he did it."

Tags: HAAS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS