University of Iowa College of Education special education faculty emeritus Paul Michael Retish passed away June 10, 2026, at the age of 89.
Born in Staten Island, New York, in 1937, Retish met the love of his life, Esther, when they were both working at a summer camp. The couple married in 1964 and would go on to spend the next 62 years together.
Retish received his undergraduate education from SUNY Geneseo, New York’s Public Honors College. After earning his doctorate from Indiana University, he began his professional career at UI’s College of Education where he would go on to become a pioneer in the field of special education.
“Paul was not only my boss; he was a mentor, a guide, and a dear friend. He took a chance on me when he hired me in 1997 to work in the Office of International Education, and those years working with him changed the course of my life,” says Higher Education Administration alumnus and current U.S. Embassy (Lomé, Togo) Public Affairs Officer Krishna Das. “I always felt seen, supported, and challenged to think bigger.”
Together, Retish and Das co-founded the annual International Day program — bringing students from across Iowa together every year to wrestle with real human rights issues.
“Seeing that program continue has always reminded me of his vision for helping students truly think globally and act locally,” adds Das.
As conveyed in Retish’s obituary:
“His lasting influence on those that knew him taught the centrality of morals and principles in guiding our lives, a lifelong approach to education, a focus on the under-privileged, the importance of straightforward communication (said nicely), and the importance of coffee throughout the day.”
Das believes Retish’s passion and practical approach to teaching (and life) resonated with all audiences.
“Paul had a wonderful sense of humor and a warm, down-to-earth way of leading, while still being professional in every sense of the word. He would say, ‘Krish, let’s get the job done—and come to me if you need my help,’ and he meant it; he encouraged us to think strategically and trust our own judgment, says Das. “His work on the Employment Building Blocks program, helping new migrants connect with employers in the Iowa City area, is just one example of how he quietly made a difference in people’s lives.”
Services for Retish were held at the Agudas Achim Congregation in Coralville on June 12.