Ohio University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Donald M. Borchert

Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Dr. Donald M. Borchert passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on May 23, 1934, Borchert received his Master’s of Theology from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1959, and his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1966.

Borchert joined the Philosophy Department at Ohio University as an assistant professor of philosophy in 1967, and then was promoted to associate professor in 1971, full professor in 1975, and emeritus professor in 2006. In his four decades at Ohio University, Borchert compiled a distinguished record of excellence as a teacher, scholar, and leader.

Teacher

A two-time winner of the prestigious University Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching (1974 and 1989), Borchert taught classes in a wide range of areas, including; ethics, logic, philosophy of religion, philosophy of Marxism, philosophy of sex and love, existentialism and Marxism, Old Testament, New Testament, philosophy and technology, models of humanness, humanization in a technological era, and stories and the pursuit of meaning. 

Professor Borchert’s classes were a highlight for countless Ohio University students. Current director of OHIO’s School of Media Arts and Studies, Josh Antonuccio (B.S. ’96), recalls taking Borchert’s capstone course, Stories and the Pursuit of Meaning.

“In my senior year at Ohio University,” Antonuccio reminisced, “I had the privilege of taking a class with Donald Borchert. Little did I realize that this one class would have a profound and lasting impact; it was the best course I had as an undergrad.”

“To this day,” Antonuccio continued, “there are lessons and ideas from the class that resonate in my experiences. Even more so, Professor Borchert modeled critical and deep thinking, respectful discourse, thoughtful inquiry, and approaching life with humility and gratitude; a masterclass in how to interact and engage with a diaspora of beliefs. That one class expanded my paradigm for the pursuit of a meaningful life, a journey that continues to this day.”

Of that same capstone course, Dr. Elliot Ratzman (B.A. ʼ92, M.A. ‘99), Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Raoul Wallenberg Institute, recalled, “it was an unforgettable class” that “brought together an all-star cast of undergraduates to read an all-star lineup of texts: Frankel, Wiesel, Camus, Koestler, etc.”

Summarizing the impact of Borchert’s classes, Ratzman stated, “I was proud to have been his student and am a better person for having studied with him.”

Attorney James Sallah (B.S.C. ’91, M.A. ‘93) shared similar sentiments.

“If I were to say that Dr. Borchert was one of the most significant individuals who shaped me as a student, it would be an understatement. From my first day in his ‘Introduction to Ethics’ class,” Sallah reports, “I was hooked on philosophy as a course of study.  First, I had imagined a philosophy professor as someone wearing a T-shirt and ponytail, staring at the sky pondering some existential question about existence. When Don walked in wearing a suit and carrying his notes in a Redweld, I thought I was in a business law class. He looked like a corporate lawyer. I had no idea, until I took that class, the very rigorous arguments and competing theories that different moral philosophers advanced. After taking that class, I jumped into every class I could – Analytic Philosophy, Rationalism, Empiricism, Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy of Mind, etc., and ended up with a minor in philosophy.”

Wanting more, Sallah reports, he matriculated into OHIO’s Philosophy M.A. program, completing the degree in 1993. 

Attorney Scott Roberts (B.G.S ʼ73) likewise recalled Borchert’s profound impact on his life.

His “cross-disciplinary teachings affected me more than any other person in my life. I so desired to emulate his pedagogical brilliance and kindness. I will miss him horribly. I loved that man," Roberts said.

Another student of Borchert’s, attorney Tom Spetnagel, remarked on the distinctive combination of formidable intelligence and gentle demeanor Borchert brought to the classroom.

“He was a man of superior intellect, wisdom, and breadth of learning,” Spetnagel observed. “He did not discourage dissent and engaged with students as if he could equally learn from them.”  

Scholar

Borchert authored over 20 articles in professional books and journals. He was also the author or editor of numerous books, a partial list of which includes the following:

• “Exploring Ethics,” co-authored with J. David Stewart (New York: Macmillan, 1986)
• “Medical Ethics," co-authored with J. David Stewart and Arthur Zucker (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1992)
• “An Introduction to Modern Philosophy,” co-authored with Aubrey Castell and Arthur Zucker (New York: Macmillan, 1994)
• “The Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Supplement,” editor in chief (New York: Macmillan, 1996)
• “Philosophy of Sex and Love: A Reader,” co-authored with Robert Trevas and Arthur Zucker (New York: Prentice Hall, 1997)
• “Compendium of Philosophy and Ethics,” editor in chief (New York: Macmillan, 1999)
• “Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Philosophy,” 10 vols. editor in chief (Farmington Hills, MI: Macmillan Reference USA, 2016-2017)
• “Embracing Epistemic Humility: Confronting Triumphalism in Three Abrahamic Religions” (Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, a subsidiary of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2013).

As a scholar, Borchert is perhaps best known as editor-in-chief of the second edition of the “Encyclopedia of Philosophy” (New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006).

Expanding on the eight-volume first edition that contained almost 1,500 entries, the second edition comprised 10 volumes and 3,000 entries, including substantial updates to the first edition articles.

The second edition of the “Encyclopedia” was selected by Choice in 2007 as one of “the most significant print and electronic works reviewed in Choice in the previous calendar year.”

The “Encyclopedia” was also named to Booklist Magazine’s Editors’ Choice elite list as one of the outstanding titles for 2006. And in 2007 the Encyclopedia received the Emerald Literati Network Award from Emerald Group Publishing in the U.K. for best print reference work of the year.

At the time of writing, almost 20 years after its publication, the second edition of the “Encyclopedia of Philosophy” remains the standard print reference work for philosophy.

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Leader

Professor Borchert served as the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1980-1986) and chair of Philosophy (1987-2002). Borchert’s 15-year tenure as chair of Philosophy marked a period of sustained excellence for the department, as he worked assiduously and effectively to support faculty and students and to advance the standing of philosophy at Ohio University and in the wider academic community.

One of Borchert’s many signature accomplishments during this period was the institution of the Philosophy Forum. Established in 1994, this annual program gives students the opportunity to study recent work of leading philosophers.

Every year philosophy graduate students and upper division majors take a seminar on the recent work of the Forum speaker, and later in the term, meet with the speaker for three days, attending a public lecture and three intensive seminars led by the speaker. A few of the many luminaries the Forum has brought to campus are Robert Nozick, Daniel Dennett, Hilary Putnam, and Alasdair MacIntyre. This program, which is now heading into its 31st year, has been highly enriching for both students and faculty. 

Associate Professor Emeritus and Borchert’s successor as chair of the Philosophy Department, Arthur Zucker, observed, “Don worked tirelessly . . . to further the standing of the department, always (and I do mean ‘always’) a goal foremost on his mind. Put another way, if ever a department had a mama bear looking out for it, it was Philosophy at OU under Don.”

Professor of Philosophy James Petrik, recalls, “Don was chair of the department when I was hired in 1992, and over the years became a cherished mentor, colleague and friend.”

Reflecting specifically on Borchert’s tenure as chair of the Philosophy Department, Petrik notes, “The overarching principle informing his leadership was a genuine interest in helping his colleagues and students aspire to become the best versions of themselves, their accomplishments bringing him more delight than his own. He was an outstanding department chair.”

Former Professor of Philosophy at OHIO and current Emeritus Professor at Smith College, Albert Mosley observes that Borchert “had a lasting impact on my life, both personal and intellectual. I met Don in 1988 when Arthur Zucker, a fellow graduate student at UW-M, invited me to give a talk at OU. This culminated in my accepting an offer to join the department. Throughout my time at OU, Don was a stalwart supporter of my efforts. With Don’s support” Mosley recalls, “I continued my work in logic, African Philosophy, and Affirmative Action.”

Even faculty who intersected Borchert’s career only in the final few years before his retirement recognized the quality of his character.

Associate Professor of Philosophy Alyssa Bernstein remembers, “Don chaired the committee that interviewed me for my first job as a professor, just after I finished my Ph.D. over two decades ago. During that interview, he set a tone of both professionalism and kindness, and this was among the reasons why I became very favorably inclined toward Ohio University and chose to accept the offer of a job in its Philosophy Department. Later on, I became acquainted with his sense of humor (always in good taste) and his ways of putting students at ease, which I have tried to emulate. I have missed him since he retired.”    

Also noting Don’s interest in the success of others, former student Ratzman reminisced that as a conservative Christian minister, Don “believed in lots of things I didn’t. One of those things he believed in was me. He introduced me to so many things and supported my interests in theology, Marxism and its critics. He sponsored my NEH grant writing about, mostly, the history of Zionism, liberation theology, and Marc Ellis. Though temperamentally cautious and politically conservative—for the time—he always supported my radical activities and curiosities, endured my puerile complaints, entertained my peripatetic interests, and never had a negative word (except, perhaps, about J.J. Altizer’s ‘death-of-god’ theology!).”

Yet another student who noted the impact of Borchert’s commitment to the success of others, Sallah, remembers Borchert “encouraging me to become involved with the university outside of my graduate studies and teaching responsibilities. For example, he submitted my name to the Kennedy Lecture Series to serve as the graduate representative from the College of Arts and Sciences, which ended up being an amazing opportunity. I would have never considered doing something like that without his prodding.”

Sallah summarized the sentiment of many of Borchert’s former students when he noted, “I would not be where I am professionally but for the impact he had on me during my academic career.”

Many of those who were lucky enough to cross paths with Borchert were also struck by his being a man of great virtue.

Spetnagel observed that Borchert “was a man of integrity and equilibrium. He never raised his voice. When he spoke, you heard the soothing voice of a man who was comfortable in his own skin.”

Ratzman reports, “He was a model of propriety and moral rectitude with his students.” 

He was also a deeply compassionate individual.

Spetnagel remarked, “He was a man who cared for others. Don acted in the interest of other people, whether vulnerable or at the height of their powers.”

And Sallah remembers a specific occasion on which he experienced Borchert’s compassion. “When my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Professor Borchert was the first person I reached out to at Ohio University. He immediately brought me into his office and sat down next to me (not across his desk) and let me know that he was there for me if I needed anything.”

Also impressed by the care Borchert showed to those around him, Mosley was quick to note that it was a trait shared by Borchert’s wife, Mary Ellen. When “my son was diagnosed with dyslexia in an Athens Preschool program,” Mosley recalls, Mary Ellen readily stepped in “to tutor him in reading.”      

And despite his extensive accomplishments, those who knew Borchert were struck by his humility. Spetnagel, again, captured this side of Professor Borchert.

“He was a man of humility,” Spetnagel observed. “The last article I read that Dr. Borchert authored was fittingly entitled ‘The Human Need to Embrace and Encourage Epistemic Humility.’ It was always clear to me that in spite of his personal intellectual achievement, he was humbled by a vast universe of knowledge – known and unknown.”

Mosley also commented on the importance of Borchert’s recent research on epistemic humility, noting that it “had a significant intellectual impact on him. I believe his book, ‘Embracing Epistemic Humility,’ has an important message for our century.” 

That Borchert’s life was animated by a devout Christian Faith also was evident to those who knew him. Petrik remarked, “Don’s faith played a prominent role in the integrity, compassion, and humility informing his actions. Every time I received an email from Don I was reminded of the centrality of this faith to his life by his consistent closing salutation: ‘Pax Vobiscum.’”

And Spetnagel observed, “In the end, he believed that we were made for love and everyone counts.” 

Capturing concisely the impression of many who crossed Don’s path, former Ohio University Provost David Stewart states that Borchert was the embodiment of the classic encomium, “a gentleman and a scholar.”

Celebration of Life event

Borchert is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen, their two children, Carol (Christopher) and John (Francesca), his older brother Gerald, and six grandchildren. Petrik recalls, “Even with his professional accomplishments, Don’s greatest happiness always derived from his family. Whenever he talked about Mary Ellen or his children and grandchildren, his face would widen with an expression of utmost joy.”

A Celebration of Life will be held for Professor Borchert at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, at the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 2 North Court Street, Athens.

Additional Information and the opportunity to sign a digital guestbook are available through the memorial notice in the Athens Messenger.

The obituary is also available, without a subscription, in the Edmonton Journal.

Those who would like to share their memories of Borchert are also invited to gather virtually on the Philosophy Department’s Facebook page.