Former university professor killed in traffic accident

The St. Bonaventure and Olean communities experienced a loss when former German professor and Olean Community Theater member, Leslie Badanes, died in a car accident March 24.

Badanes, who was 67, was traveling west on Route 6 in Liberty Township, Penn., when he crossed the centerline and struck a pickup truck driven by Ronald K. Gehman, 61, head on.

Police said both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The university flew its flag at half-staff for Badanes last Friday, the day his funeral services were held.

Frank J. Bianco, associate professor of modern languages, came to St. Bonaventure in 1969 and immediately struck a relationship with Badanes.

"He became one of my best friends when I got here," Bianco said. "Our families were friends and it was just a good relationship for a long time."

Patrick Panzarella, English professor and faculty member at Bonaventure since 1967, had fond memories of his former colleague.

"I was a colleague of his for the full tenure of him being here," Panzarella said. "He was a very, very friendly, sociable guy. He really loved teaching and was a really good German teacher."

Margaret F. Mazon, associate professor of modern languages, has been a member of St. Bonaventure since 1980. She said Badanes was intellectually curious, and a good friend.

"He was a good friend," she said. "Any time something was going on in my life, even after he left, he maintained contact and anytime I had any crisis or something going on, he was always there."

Badanes was a part of the Bonaventure community from 1968 to 1994. In 1994, the university made cutbacks on certain programs, and German was one of those cut, according to Panzarella. After leaving the university, he became an active member in the Olean Community Theater.

Richard Simpson, English professor, said the cutbacks were unfortunate for those who lost jobs. He said losing Badanes was a noticeable loss for St. Bonaventure.

"I was very sorry for him when the German program was shut down," Simpson said. "I don't think that should have happened and I was sorry when it did. I remember he was just a great presence around the building. I remember him as a great guy and he had a great sense of humor."

Simpson said he thought many were saddened by the cuts.

"I think a lot of people shared the feelings I'm talking about. They were sorry the accident happened and sorry he lost his job in the 90s," Simpson said. "He was a fine person and a fine teacher," Simpson said.

Panzarella said talking to Badanes was a positive experience for all who came in contact with him.

"He was always a good person to go up to and talk to," he said. "He had a good laugh and good smile. If you spent five or 10 minutes with him, you left saying, 'that was fun.'"

Bianco said Badanes was always prepared for his classes, and he enjoyed teaching.

"He prepared for his classes more than anyone I knew," Bianco said. "He practiced his lectures and knew his lessons. He did like to have fun though."

Panzarella agreed the loss of Badanes was a big one for the university.

"He was always a very interesting and outgoing person," he said. "When he left the university, it was a loss."

Bianco said students definitely enjoyed their time with Badanes.

"He always had students in his office," he said. "They certainly appreciated what he did for them."e-mail:oreillrr@sbu.edu