Three longtime Sacramento State professors died this past summer.

Marda West, a professor of biology, Floyd Lecureux, a professor of computer science, and John Gwynn, a professor of computer science, all died within a two-week period, according to the University Public Affairs office.

President Donald Gerth noted the passing of the three professors in his opening address to the university last week.

“They all happened within days of each other,” Gerth said. “It was a tough summer.”

West, a well-known protector of campus wildlife, died May 31 at a local hospital of kidney failure. She was 61.

West earned degrees from California State University, Long Beach and the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned an Outstanding Teacher Award in 1993-94, along with other campus honors.

A private celebration of her life will be held on campus Friday. The Biological Sciences Department has information about the event.

Lecureux taught for many years in the College of Engineering and Computer science, and was also an administrator. He is credited with launching the very successful Web certificate program, according to Frank Whitlatch, Assistant News Director for the Public Affairs office. He died May 26 of a heart attack.

Gwynn, who died June 5, also taught in the computer science department. A memorial Web site for him has been established by a former student at http://www.joegunchy.com. Gwynn was a professor at Sac State for 24 years and received four awards, including three outstanding teaching awards.

“He was an international authority (on) computer assimilation of gambling games,” said Julie Gwynn, his widow. The College of Engineering and Computer Science have created a scholarship in his name, she said.

Both Gwynn and Lecureux were popular teachers in the computer science department, according to student Matt Brown.

“They both loved teaching; they were more interested in spending time with students than anything else,” Brown said. “I never heard anyone say a bad word about either of them.”