Gilbert Morris Cuthbertson
1937-2019
Gilbert Morris Cuthbertson, known to thousands of his current and former Rice University students and friends simply as "Doc C," passed away July 21, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma surrounded by some of his closest friends. He was 81.
The only child of Gilbert and Marion (Morris) Cuthbertson, he was born on Nov. 20, 1937 in Warrensburg, Missouri. He earned a bachelor of arts, with distinction, in political science from the University of Kansas in 1959, where he was a Summerfield Scholar. Following his time as a Jayhawk, he moved to the northeast, where he completed a Ph.D. in government and political theory in 1963 as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Harvard University.
Following graduation, he moved south to the Lone Star State, where he found his longtime job - and home - at Rice University in Houston. He began teaching political science in 1963, before his field even had its own department, and ended up being one of the Department of Political Science's founding members. A much-loved professor and a distinguished academic, Cuthbertson specialized in the fields of ancient and medieval political theory, modern political theory, Texas politics, American government and introduction to political science, American constitutional law, and politics and the arts.

During his Rice tenure, he received countless awards, including seven George R. Brown Teaching awards, and was presented with George R. Brown Certificate of Highest Merit in 1993.

"He won almost every teaching award available at Rice because he taught everywhere and every day," said Brad Hoyt, a former student and close friend. "His classrooms ranged from the Rice campus to a flea market on the other side of the globe. He was always ready to discuss how classical political theory related to a current event or to explain how some purchase fit in the geopolitical scene of its time."

But for over a half-century of Rice students who loved, admired and respected "Doc C," he was so much more than just another Rice professor who loved teaching. He was truly invested in the lives of his students unlike any other university professor or employee.

For more than 50 years, unlike his countless students who walked through Rice's Sallyport at graduation, Cuthbertson never left Rice. He became a resident associate at Will Rice College, one of Rice University's residential colleges, in 1964, and lived at and worked with the college as an RA through 2011, when he became a resident associate emeritus.

During this service to Rice, he became like family to students who passed through the doors of the college, teaching them inside and outside of the classroom and serving as a mentor, cheerleader, advocate, traveling companion and, most important, lifelong friend. He deftly guided Will Rice College students through the joys, trials and travails of university life. He dined with his students every day and shot pool, played foosball and taught many of them to play his beloved bridge. He spent hours in the college commons serving as a sounding board for decisions big and small. Through the years, he helped countless students grow into adulthood, knowing that, with the right guidance, they would find the path through Rice and beyond. In addition, he traveled with generations of students throughout the continental U.S. and abroad.

"Simply put, Doc C was a pillar of our Rice experience," Hoyt said. "We were all so lucky to know him."
"Doc C" was particularly proud of his Student Association Mentor Award presented to him in 1989, which reflected his commitment to and focus on Rice students. He also received Rice's Meritorious Service Award, which recognizes Rice alumni, faculty, staff and friends who have rendered significant, sustained voluntary contributions of energy, time and creativity toward the advancement of the university, in 2010. In a write-up honoring Cuthbertson when he was honored with the service award, Patrick Quayle, a former student and friend, lauded him as "a person who has committed himself selflessly to supporting and enriching the lives of students not only while they were at Rice, but for years and decades later."
Amid his deep dedication to his Rice students, Cuthbertson found time to author several books, including "Myth, Power, Value," "Political Myth and Epic," and "Political Power." He also co-authored, edited and contributed chapters to books, conducted book reviews and authored numerous abstracts and journal articles. He served as a keynote speaker, conducted various lectures and presentations, participated in invited talks and was interviewed by the media as a political expert.
In addition to his roles in academia, Doc was a life master of the American Contract Bridge League. He was a longtime member of the American Political Science Association, the Knife and Fork Club, and the James Baker Society. He served on the board of directors for the Scottish Heritage Foundation, and was honored with a Great Scott Award from the organization. He served on the board of directors of the River Oaks Rotary, where he was an honorary member, and was on the curator's board of the Museum of Printing History. He was also highlighted in more than 30 editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in American Politics, and Who's Who in the South and Southwest, and in 2017 he was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his profession.
Cuthbertson was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by thousands of beloved current and former students and many close friends. His graveside funeral services will be held at New Hope Cemetery in Liberty, Missouri at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 Details on memorial service at Rice University are pending.

Moore's Memory Chapel
918-583-6148