Alexander ''Alex'' Casella

Alexander "Alex" Joseph Casella, 69, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, at his home in Springfield. Alex was born August 10, 1939 in Taylor, PA, the son of Alexander Joseph Casella, Sr. and Josephine M. Cesare Casella. He married Thanawan Kohrianchai on July 1, 2001, in Springfield, Illinois. Alex grew up in Moosic, PA. He received a B.S. in Physics from Villanova University, an M.A. in Physics from Drexel University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Pennsylvania State University. He began his professional career while pursuing these degrees in 1961 as a Physicist for the U.S. Dept. of Defense at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, PA doing research on laser technology. In 1969, he became a professor of Physics at Jacksonville University in Florida, thus beginning his 35 year tenure as a University Academic. In 1973, Alex and his family moved to the Midwest where he embarked on a 30 year career with Sangamon State University (later becoming the University of Illinois at Springfield) as Professor of Environmental Studies and Physics. Over the span of his career, he would teach over two dozen courses, including Environmental Natural Science, Environmental Oceanography, The Nuclear Dilemma, Solar Energy, and The Nature of Things. He became the Director of Energy Studies at SSU in 1975, developing and coordinating the energy course curriculum as well as planning and implementing undergraduate programs in chemistry and physics. From 1989-1996, Alex served as Dean of the School of Public Affairs and Administration. During this period as Dean, he acted as the administrative liaison to various university activities, as well as informal liaison to the staff union. In 2002, Alex became Professor Emeritus, Environmental Studies and Physics. Alex was the producer and host of about fifty, half-hour interview shows on environment/energy issues starting in 1985. These were broadcast on two local cable outlets operated by the University T.V. office. He also hosted two weekly interview shows, "Faculty Focus" and "Peace Talks". Alex was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, Illinois Environmental Council, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Union of Concerned Scientists (IL Coordinator), Sierra Club, Charter Member of Better World Society and Worldwatch Institute. He served on numerous boards and committees, including Energy Consultants Associates, Earth Week 1990, Springfield Urban League, and Springfield Area Arts Council. He provided numerous testimonies to committees of the State of IL House and Senate in areas of Energy Policy and was the prolific author of articles, papers, lectures, and letters to the editor on numerous and sundry topics. A loyal supporter of the Democratic Party, Alex ran for Alderman of Ward 7 in 1999, victory narrowly eluding him by a mere 8%. This was Alex's first and only run at holding public office and he thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. He'd always had a great interest in politics, local and global, and enjoyed monitoring C-Span and CNN. Among Alex's great and varied interests was a love of photography, gardening, debunking myths with science, movies, the ocean, playing with his grandson, Italian food, baseball and other sports, and writing. He loved the performing arts, and even discovered his own inner thespian by playing Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Springfield Theatre Center. Alex's generous spirit, sympathetic ear, and pragmatic advice touched many people along his way. His children brought him great joy. He was very proud of his grandson, Jonah, and newly smitten with his baby granddaughter, Virginia. Alex also loved traveling and meeting new people. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. It was during one notable trip to Bangkok in the fall of 2000 that he met and fell in love with Thanawan Kohrianchai. Alex was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Cynthia Norton. Alex is survived by his wife, Thanawan; son, Christopher, Hermosa Beach, CA; daughter, Lara Parkes (husband, Michael), Springfield; grandson, Jonah; granddaughter, Virginia; nephew, Thomas Norton; nieces, Mary Jo Christiansen and Cynthia Warren; great-nieces and nephews, all of New Jersey. Memorial service will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memories will be shared at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Children's Fund, World Wildlife Fund, Pattaya Orphanage Trust, or the charity of one's choice. Father, Husband, Teacher, Friend: Alex, we will miss you.