Scott Deacle, a professor at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was 47 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his two sons, David and Andrew. He was the chair of the business and economics department at Ursinus College and an advisor to the student-managed investment fund known as UCIMCO. He was also a former journalist and an avid sports fan. He will be remembered for his passion for teaching, his kindness, and his sense of humor.
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A Life Dedicated to Education and Research
Scott Deacle was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from The College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in history. He worked as a correspondent for newspapers in Wake Forest, North Carolina; Danville, Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Scranton, Pennsylvania. He covered various topics, but he enjoyed reading The Wall Street Journal and learning about business and economics.
After six years in the newspaper industry, he decided to pursue his academic career and earned his doctorate in economics from Temple University. He joined Ursinus College in 2011 and became the chair of the business and economics department in 2019. He taught courses in finance, economics, econometrics, and research methods. He also co-authored a textbook on economic mechanism design, published by Palgrave in 2011.
His research interests spanned a wide range of topics, mostly related to different types of financial institutions. He studied the Federal Home Loan Banks, community banks, thrifts, commercial bank ownership of real estate, and the “free” banking system that existed before the Civil War. He also explored the impact of companies’ advertising budget and social media presence on the behavior of retail stock investors. He frequently shared his expertise on personal finance topics with websites such as NerdWallet, MoneyGeek, and WalletHub. He also collaborated with KYW Radio to produce podcasts on economics.
He was especially proud of his role as an advisor to the UCIMCO student-managed investment fund, which he helped establish in 2013. He mentored students on how to analyze and manage a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets. He encouraged them to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations and to develop their critical thinking and communication skills. He also organized trips to New York City and Philadelphia to visit financial institutions and network with alumni.
A Loving Husband and Father
Scott Deacle was not only a dedicated professor, but also a loving husband and father. He married Jennifer Deacle, a fellow journalist, in 2000. They moved to Trappe, Pennsylvania, in 2011 and raised their two sons, David and Andrew. They were involved in various community activities, such as Scouts, marching band, youth sports, and St. James Episcopal Church. They enjoyed traveling, hiking, camping, and watching movies together.
Scott Deacle was a passionate sports fan, especially of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also followed college basketball and football, and coached his sons’ soccer and baseball teams. He loved playing golf, tennis, and chess. He had a great sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. He was always ready to help others and to make them laugh.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Gratitude
Scott Deacle’s sudden death has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, and students. He touched many lives with his generosity, wisdom, and compassion. He inspired his students to pursue their dreams and to make a difference in the world. He supported his colleagues and fostered a collaborative and friendly environment. He cherished his family and made them feel loved and appreciated.
His funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at St. James Episcopal Church in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. His family requested that donations be made to the Scott Deacle Memorial Fund, which will support the UCIMCO student-managed investment fund and other initiatives in the business and economics department at Ursinus College.
