Baldus, David C.

David C. Baldus, 75, the Joseph B. Tye Professor of Law at the University of Iowa, died at his home in Iowa City on Monday, June 13, 2011. The cause of death was complications from colon cancer.

David was born June 23, 1935, in Wheeling, W.Va., the son of Frank and Mary (Kane) Baldus. He was raised in Mount Lebanon, Pa. He received his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College in 1957 and after college graduation served as a lieutenant for the Army Security Agency in Korea from 1958-59. After returning from Korea he received his M.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962. He went on to attend Yale Law School, earning a J. D. degree in 1964 and a L.L.M. in 1969. David practiced law in Pittsburgh from 1964-68.

In 1969, David and his first wife, Sally Swartz Baldus, moved from New Haven, Conn., to Iowa City, where Mr. Baldus joined the law faculty at the University of Iowa. Two daughters were born to that marriage. Although later divorced, David and Sally continued to work together to raise two caring and loving daughters.

In 1980, David married Joyce Conley Carman of Iowa City. In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by his daughters, Katherine Louise Baldus and her husband, Oscar Stern, and Helen Kane Baldus, all of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister, Sue Gittins (Howard Gittins) of Port Charlotte, Fla.; stepchildren, Jeff Carman of Paducah, Ky., Craig Carman (Christine Annicella) of Iowa City and Kathryn Carman Robinson (Jimi Robinson) and Glen Carman (Ann Bradlow), both of Chicago. He is also survived by nine stepgrandchildren, Lucian Stern of Brooklyn, N.Y., Isabel and Ellen Carman of Iowa City, James and Matthew Robinson of Chicago, Louisa and Evan Bradlow Carman of Chicago and Zachary and Mimi Carman of North Falmouth, Mass.; nephews, John Allison Jr. and John Gittins (Sue Hearn); and niece, Anne Gittins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jane Allison, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pa.; a niece, Janet Allison; and a niece by marriage, Kay Allison.

David Baldus was an outstanding scholar and teacher. His research centered on law and social science, with the primary focus on administration of the death penalty. His studies placed particular emphasis on issues relating to racial discrimination in capital punishment. He brought to his teaching and research tireless energy, a strong desire to help younger scholars as they began their own research, and dedication to an unwavering belief in pursuing justice. He was frequently recognized with honors for his work, and was the recipient of grants from a number of agencies.

Professor Baldus was often a consultant in major capital punishments cases, and served as a consultant to the Delaware Supreme Court, the South Dakota Supreme Court, the National Center for State Courts, and as a Special Master to the New Jersey Supreme Court in their reviews of proportionality and the death penalty.

In recognition of his academic work he was awarded the Law and Society Association's Harry Kalven Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in Law and Society (with George Woodworth and Charles Pulaski) in 1987. At the University of Iowa he received the Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service to the University, 1996; and the Award for Faculty Excellence from the Board of Regents, State of Iowa in 2000.

David was passionate in his love of the sea and enjoyed sailing in many locations, but most of all he enjoyed the area around the coast of Maine. He was equally happy when he was boating on the Coralville reservoir. Listening to music of all kinds brought him joy; from classical, opera and jazz to folk and New Music. David enjoyed spending time outdoors, always with a goal in mind. He was the organizer of traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas Day family afternoon hikes, a skilled skater, and, in earlier years, an eager skier.

David held his family, his friends, and his colleagues close to his heart. He loved living in Iowa City and the surrounding community. David Baldus will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240.

Online condolences and memories may be directed to

Another memorial service will be held at the University of Iowa College of Law in late summer or early fall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice, Shelter House of Iowa City, Neighborhood Centers of Iowa City, Compeer Program at Community Mental Health Center, or to The David C. Baldus Memorial Fund at The University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244 (this fund established to support empirical legal studies at the College of Law).