Board of Regents President Emeritus Michael Spector passed away from complications with cancer Friday at the age of 74, according to UW System spokesperson Heather LaRoi.
Spector is described as an “inspirational and energetic leader” and someone who was “committed to his work as a Regent,” the UW System news release said.
He finished his undergraduate education at UW-Madison and went on to Harvard Law School, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
After graduation from Harvard, he spent most of his life as a lawyer in Milwaukee working for educational reformation in Wisconsin before retiring in 2002.
He started his life-long public service when he was 28 years old after getting elected to the Shorewood School Board.
The Journal Sentinel also said outside of his busy work schedule he was dedicated to his family, and in his free time he enjoyed pursuing his hobby of photography.