Wallace Mendelson

Wallace Mendelson Wallace Mendelson, age 93, internationally known constitutional law expert, died at his home on Friday, November 19, 2004, following a long illness. Dr. Mendelson was a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin from 1957 until his retirement in 1991. He taught thousands of students the meaning of the law during a career of over a half-century. He is survived by his wife, Margery, and two sons: Roger Mendelson, M.D., his wife, Shirley, and their son Benjamin Wallace Mendelson; Wallace B. Mendelson, M.D., his wife Miho; and his sister Marjorie Ravven of Santa Cruz, California. He was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Morris Mendelson and a brother Charles Mendelson. On December 2, 2004, Wallace and Margery would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Professor Mendelson also received a Ph.D degree from the University of Wisconsin. He served as an assistant to the late Justice Felix Frankfurter at the United States Supreme Court. He was a prolific author of many scholarly books, including textbooks. In addition, he wrote chapters in dozens of compiled books, as well as scores of writings in major law reviews and other professional publications. He served as a consultant to United States Senate committees, and gave honorary lectures here and abroad. He was a special assistant to an Attorney General of the United States, as well as an editor in chief of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He also authored key provisions of the modern constitution of the state of Tennessee. Dr. Mendelson was an officer in the Army Air Corps in World War II and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. This great constitutional law scholar found no accolade more prestigious than his fame as husband, father, and grandfather to 12 year old Benjamin Wallace Mendelson. He leaves behind a glorious legacy in his work – but his quiet, inquiring nature provides an indelible imprint on those who will remember this elegant gentleman. Graveside services will be conducted by Rabbi Steven Folberg of Congregation Beth Israel and Rabbi Emeritus Louis Firestein at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 21, 2004, at Beth Israel III/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com