Hobart and William Smith Colleges

November 10, 2026

Dear Members of the HWS Community,

It is with sadness that I share the news of the passing of Christopher E. Gunn, Professor Emeritus of Economics, who died on Oct. 24. Chris served on the Hobart and William Smith faculty from 1978 until his retirement in 2014, contributing to the intellectual life of the campus as a faculty member and chair of the Economics Department. Throughout his tenure, he brought intellectual curiosity, thoughtful engagement and a deep commitment to the liberal arts to his work with students and colleagues.

A scholar of political economy, Chris explored questions of local and regional development, the commons, cooperative and labor-managed firms, and nonprofit institutions. In the classroom, he encouraged students to examine the U.S. economy, consider alternatives to conventional economic thought and understand the role of nonprofit organizations in society. He extended these interests through his scholarship and books, including Workers’ Self-Management in the United States, Reclaiming Capital: Democratic Initiatives and Community Development, co-authored with his wife, Hazel Dayton Gunn, and Third Sector Development: Making Up for the Market.

Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University before serving in the U.S. Navy, including three years in naval hospitals. He later returned to Cornell, where he earned his MBA and Ph.D.

Following his retirement, Chris and Hazel returned to Ithaca, a place they loved. They traveled widely and shared a deep affection for their dogs. In the obituary he prepared himself, Chris offered a heartfelt reflection on his life with Hazel: “I was fortunate to find a wonderful wife and life companion.” The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this December.

"Chris Gunn profoundly shaped my life at Hobart and William Smith Colleges,” says Professor of Physics Don Spector. “He was passionate about keeping scholarly work central to our professional lives, and he never wavered in his commitment to the principles of participatory governance. I am fortunate to have had Chris as a colleague and a friend."

Former colleague and Professor Emeritus of Public Policy Craig Rimmerman, who met Chris shortly after arriving at HWS in 1986, remembers him as “a valued colleague with a keen mind and thoughtful engagement.” Rimmerman taught with Chris on three occasions, experiences he described as among the highlights of his professional life.

Chris is survived by Hazel; his brother, Thomas Gunn; and his nephew, Benjamin Gunn (Melissa Oliver). He was preceded in death by his sister, Sara Gunn. His family has requested that those wishing to honor his memory consider a gift to the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

We extend our sincere condolences to Hazel, the Gunn family and Chris’s many friends and former colleagues. We are grateful for his decades of contributions to Hobart and William Smith and for the thoughtful spirit he brought to our community.

Sincerely,

Mark D. Gearan
President