Dr. William Michael Jensen

Dr. William Michael Jensen January 21, 1942 – October 10, 2016 Dr. William Michael (Bill) Jensen, 74, lost his battle with cancer October 10, 2016. He passed away surrounded by his entire family. A memorial service will be held at Lakewood Christian Church on Friday, October 14, at 11 a.m. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October 13, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Bill was born January 21, 1942, in Hampton, Iowa, to Gennetta (Towle) and Howard Jensen. He excelled in school and sports, competing on the varsity football and basketball teams, as well as in track and golf. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, Linda Hansen. They were married on June 6, 1964, and recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary; he passed away on the anniversary of their first date 58 years ago. Bill received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art History from the University of Iowa; he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity. The couple then moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he received his Ph.D. in Art History. During this time, Bill was a member of Eta Sigma Phi Classical Honor Society and was elected to the University of Michigan’s Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, whose members were in the top 10% of Ph.D. graduates. In 1968-69, Bill received a Fulbright grant to conduct his dissertation research on a group of Roman tomb sculptures (tomb of the Haterii) housed in the Vatican Museum. During this time he lived in Rome, Italy, with his wife and daughter, Tara, for 10 months, traveling all over Italy, as well as to Greece, and other European countries. Upon his return to the U.S., Bill taught Art History for seven years at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In 1976 he accepted a position at Baylor University, retiring as a Full Professor in 2011 after 35 years. He was subsequently honored as a Professor Emeritus. Bill loved teaching and the interaction with the students. It was especially gratifying when they contacted him after leaving Baylor to tell him how much his classes meant to them. Dr. Jensen was the inaugural Director of the Martin Museum of Art at Baylor. During that time, he set up an exhibit of an original Guttenberg Bible, on loan from the University of Texas, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of its publication. Bill was very active on numerous departmental and university committees, including three terms on the Faculty Senate and Chair of the Beall-Russell Lectures in the Humanities Committee for five years. Also, he was a member of the Archaeological Institute of America, the Midwest Art History Society and the College Art Association of America. Bill had a long-standing research interest in Michelangelo, especially the Sistine Chapel ceiling and altar frescoes. He presented a number of papers at professional conferences on these topics. In recognition of his research, he was invited, along with three other art historians, to give a lecture as part of the inaugural presentation of Michelangelo’s drawings at the Kimball Art Museum. A highlight in his Michelangelo research was an invitation to ascend the scaffolding during the cleaning of the Sistine Chapel frescoes. During this time he also viewed the last frescoes of Michelangelo’s career, which are found in the Pope’s private chapel in the Vatican, otherwise closed to the public. Bill was a strong, principled man of character. He was a family man, a devoted and much-loved husband to Linda, and a cherished father to his three beautiful daughters, Tara, Eden and Libby, as well as a great father-in-law, and loving “Papa” to his grandchildren. When not in his home study, his children could always find him outside working on his many landscaping projects, in which he took great pleasure. He and Linda loved to travel and had several wonderful trips to Europe. They really enjoyed their family vacations for the past 16 years, starting when the grandchildren were just toddlers. Bill was a long-time Iowa Hawkeyes and Baylor Bear fan. He loved to play golf and was an avid reader. Dr. Jensen was preceded in death by his parents, Gennetta and Howard Jensen; and his parents-in-law, Letha and Henry Hansen. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda Hansen Jensen; his children, Tara Noelle Jensen and fiancé, Jefferson Jackson; Eden Blythe Radcliffe and husband, Kris; Elizabeth Nicole (Libby) Cain and husband, Lance; and his precious grandchildren, Victoria Paige (Tori) Karger, Courtney Lauren Karger, and Mason Lance Cain. He is also survived by his dear sister, Jean Williams and husband, Jim; and sister-in-law, Beverly Brown and husband, Bob; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Drs. Singh and Bednarz and all the staff at the McClinton Cancer Center for their concern and care. Our special thanks go also to the staff of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hospice Unit, especially the nurses and staff on 4 North. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakewood Christian Church, the Baylor University Art Department Scholarship Fund, the University of Michigan Art History Department Scholarship Fund, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the American Cancer Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.