William T. Vukowich

William T. Vukowich was born on October 31, 1943, in East Chicago, IN. His parents were Sophie (Jancek) and Thomas Vukowich. William died on August 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C. His maternal grandparents were Katherine (Simek) and John Jancek (from Slovakia). His paternal grandparents were Helen (Smicklas) and John Vukowich (from Croatia). He was predeceased by his older brother Thomas and wife Connie.

He is survived by two sisters Carol Blake of Phoenix, AZ, and Marlene Herakovich (Carl) of Raleigh, NC, ten nieces and nephews (Anne Marie, Bradley, Douglas, Karen Ann, Kristine, Michelle, Pamela, Russell, Susan, and William, and their families.

Bill (as the family knew him) grew up in East Chicago, IN, graduating from East Chicago Roosevelt High School in 1961 where he was a member of the cross-country team. He graduated from Indiana University in 1965 with a major in mathematics and a minor in Russian. At IU, he was elected President of the Student Body. He then studied law at the University of California (Berkeley). During law school summers, he worked as a waiter in an exclusive resort at Lake Tahoe, where he developed a taste for good food and wine. Following law school, Bill taught law at Willamette University in Salem, OR for two years. He then attended Columbia University earning his J.S.D degree as a Ford Urban Law Fellow. He joined the Georgetown Law faculty in 1971, where he stayed until retirement as Professor Emeritus.

Professor Vukowich taught commercial law, consumer law, bankruptcy, contracts, and comparative consumer law at Georgetown. He shared his expertise on bankruptcy and consumer law with federal and local government agencies as a consultant to the State Department, the Federal Trade Commission, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Montgomery County, Maryland Office of Consumer Affairs.

His book, Consumer Protection in the 21st ‘century: A Global Perspective, was published in 2002. He had sabbatical stays in Europe and Hawaii. As a result of his focus on European Union law, he served as a Visiting Professor of Law at Libera Universita Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, Rome, the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

An avid photographer and cyclist, he was the longtime co-sponsor of a popular orientation bike ride for incoming first-year law students. In retirement, he continued to visit his office on campus to associate with colleagues. He had a terrific sense of humor, was very kind, and was a great colleague, mentor, and friend to many at the Law Center.

In his later years, Bill spent many warm months at his cottage on Cape Cod.

Bill will be remembered fondly by many colleagues, friends, and family.