Jim Callahan, a professor emeritus at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, died last Tuesday at age 74 after falling from the platform of a commuter rail in West Newton, Mass., according to a Heller School press release. Callahan retired in 2003 from teaching, according to Prof. Stuart Altman (Heller). Callahan's obituary states that he is survived by his wife, two sons and two brothers.

According to the BrandeisNOW press release, Callahan received his Ph.D. from the Heller School in 1968 and taught for 25 years. Throughout his time at Heller, he served as acting dean of the school from 1990 to 1992 and headed the Policy Center on Aging, the National Institute of Mental Health training program and the Ph.D. program, and he was also a senior researcher.

The press release further explains that in addition to his work at the Heller School, Callahan was active in the Massachusetts government as well, serving as secretary of elder affairs, commissioner of mental health and director of the Medicaid program in Gov. Michael Dukakis' administration.

In an interview with the Justice, Altman said that Callahan's dedication to the Heller School and his work was consistently evident and that he will be greatly missed.

"I've been here now for over 35 years; I know the history of the Heller School, [and] I don't think anyone better represents the best of Heller than Jim Callahan," said Altman, explaining that Callahan returned to the Heller School every time after he served in the state government.

Dean of the Heller School Lisa Lynch said in an interview with the Justice that she first became friendly with Callahan at the onset of her term as dean in 2008. Lynch said that he became her "unofficial mentor."

"If he saw a door open he would just pop in, say hello and start talking," said Lynch.

Lynch further explained that she designated Callahan the Heller School historian because he knew the history of the school since he had worked there worked there for so long.

Lynch explained that for the Heller School's 50th anniversary in 2009, the faculty needed to choose the recipient of the Alumni Service Award, and Callahan was chosen unanimously.

"Usually it is hard to choose [recipients], but I proposed his name and there was a unanimous cheer," said Lynch of choosing Callahan for this award.

"This is an indication of how beloved this man was," she said.

Prof. Jeffrey Prottas (Heller) echoed these sentiments in an interview with the Justice, categorizing Callahan's death as a "terrible shock."

"He was really an exceptional kind and goodhearted man who basically did whatever he could for the school. I understand that after he retired he continued to do lots of things," said Prottas.