Veteran Business Professor Dies

Joseph Sherif, professor of information systems and decision sciences at Cal State Fullerton, died Jan. 10 of complications from lung cancer. He was 73.

Caption: Joseph Sherif, professor of information systems and decision sciences Download Photo

“Yosef was a prolific researcher, effective teacher and a wonderful colleague,” said Bhushan Kappoor, chair and professor of information systems and decision sciences. “He encouraged and supported his students and colleagues. Words cannot express how much he will be missed by all of his colleagues.”

A member of the campus community for 26 years, Sherif taught operations research, statistics/probability, network communications and security. Prior to joining CSUF, he was a research scientist at Caltech and assistant professor/research scientist at U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal. He also taught at his alma mater, Texas Tech University, and the University of Wisconsin and consulted with General Electric Medical Systems, McGraw Edison and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In addition to teaching, Sherif was a prolific author of numerous journal articles for the likes of the International Journal of Reliability Engineering, Solar Engineering, Microelectronics and Reliability, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Transactions. Sherif was honored two years in a row with the Emerald LiteratiNetwork Highly Commended Award for “The Semantic Web: A Catalyst for Future e-Business” in Vol. 37, No. 1 of Kybernetes (2008) and “Strategies for Successful CRM Implementation” in Vol. 15, No. 2 of Information Management & Computer Security (2007).

Sherif earned his doctorate in industrial engineering at Texas Tech University.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, and three children. Contributions in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society. A campus memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in Room 1406 of Mihaylo Hall. RSVP to Nimer Alrushiedat at nalrushiedat@fullerton.edu or 567-278-4173.