Paul Veisze, a professor at American River College of almost 26 years, died from a cardiac arrest in late August, according to Joel Keebler, Dean of Science and Engineering.
Since 1999, Veisze was a veteran professor in ARC’s Geographic Information Systems program where he taught, cultivated, and instructed Geography 350: Data Acquisition and other courses that used his skills as an aerial photographer using drones, an area he was highly passionate about.
According to Keebler, the GIS program is one of few taught in the country. Veisze taught the course each term as an adjunct instructor.
“Paul had unique expertise in GIS, particularly remote sensing with drones,” Keebler said. “We’re going to have a hard time replacing him because his knowledge and his enthusiasm for the subject was really special.”
Veisze also had a decorated academic background in natural resources conservation, wildland fire bionomics and as an FAA Commercial Pilot. He devoted his work to it for over 30 years, according to his LinkedIn biography.
Veisze studied at the University of California, Berkeley from 1979 to 1985, receiving a master’s degree in forestry with a focus on wildland resource science which pivots into the science of natural resources on Wildland grounds.
From 1992 to 2004, Veisze was a GIS manager, specialist and analyst for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, an agency committed to protecting and preserving the natural resources in California, according to an article in Beaver Bites, ARC’s weekly newsletter.
During his time with the parks department, Veisze’s dedication stayed true, continuously elevating to positions of gradual responsibility in GIS research and development. His responsibilities included supervising GIS staff in numerous departments while mentoring student assistants and GIS analysts, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Additionally, Veisze examined fish habitats in-depth using remotely piloted vehicles that are piloted underwater from the surface to gather in research. He also used aerial narrative techniques to study over 600 miles of the California Eel River basin stream habitats.
Not only was Veisze widely known by many on campus, but he was also known by many of the staff during his time as a GIS manager at the CA Department of Parks and Recreation.
Veisze’s last project was a collaboration with the Sacramento Area Creeks Council, a committee whose goal is to preserve the streams. Their work developed and pinpointed areas in which salmonid fish passages and habitats can be corrected by removing passages caused by debris.
Veisze was recognized for several of his personal merits through his work as a GIS manager, receiving the Excellence in Integration Award for Public Safety conversion, as well as receiving four FAA Certificates of Authorization for Unmanned Aircraft Systems for CSP drone operations worldwide, according to his Facebook biography.
Lisa Levy, a science professor who primarily teaches STEM courses at ARC, expressed how distraught she was by the loss of Veisze. Although having been acquaintances with him for over 20 years, she only began getting to know him last fall semester.
During that fall semester, Levy had over 60 years of vast rock and mineral collection, with their descriptions on crinkled yellow paper, and was hoping to revise its descriptions.
“I mentioned it during our department meeting and Paul got so excited,” Levy said. “He said, ‘You have a database for all these rocks and minerals, and I just happen to be teaching a course on data collection, this would make a perfect project for my students.”’
Levy added how Veisze’s infectious excitement and utmost devotion to the GIS program translated greatly to his students.
“Every time he would talk to you, he was always doing something related to his class,” Levy said. “It might have been the most boring thing on earth to anybody but him. Whatever the assignment was, they were going to be excited about it because Paul was.”
In a Beaver Bites article honoring Veisze, Lorri Peltz, a former student of Veisze, shared how honored she was to know him.
“Paul was such a dynamo, always ready to help or debate as a friend and colleague. It was a pleasure to get to know him over the 20+ years I knew him.” Peltz said. “He always made us stop and think with greater depth and insight.”
During Dia De Los Muertos, an ofrenda was created by El Centro Latinx Center located in the Student Center, a tradition to honor deceased loved ones. In further honoring Veisze, his photo was placed by Keebler on the ofrenda to celebrate his life.
