In Memory of Paul Dunscomb
Contact
- pedunscomb@uaa.alaska.edu
- University of Alaska Anchorage
About
March 4, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Paul Dunscomb, a beloved colleague, esteemed scholar, and dear friend to many in our community.
Paul was deeply passionate about working with educators, and his enthusiasm for life was truly infectious. He found great joy in collaborating with teachers, leading numerous programs for the East Asia Resource Center over the years. Most recently, he spoke fondly of his time leading a program in Anchorage in 2024 and was eagerly preparing to return in June 2025 to share his knowledge and energy once again.
The East Asia Resource Center has lost not only a respected academic but also a generous and kind-hearted presence. Paul was always willing to go the extra mile, whether leading discussions, supporting colleagues, or even taking on the less glamorous tasks with a smile. Last summer, he happily volunteered for garbage duty at the end of each day, never once complaining and always making it a lighthearted moment. Those who had the privilege of knowing him will remember his warmth, humor, and dedication.
We mourn his loss and honor the lasting impact he has left on all of us.
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Professor Paul Dunscomb was a Professor of East Asian history at the University of Alaska Anchorage. His NCTA programs were offered through the Anchorage School District Summer Academy.
Paul worked in broadcast television for several years before beginning graduate studies in history. He lived in Japan for two years while working on his Ph.D. dissertation. While his initial research focused on Japan’s Siberian Intervention, 1918-1922 and Japanese Imperialism his most recent work attempts to bring not only Postwar Japan but events of the last two and a half decades into focus. His work examined the crisis in Japanese professional baseball of 2004 as a means to understand the nature of change in Japan during the early Heisei period (1989-2009).
Read more about Paul on the UAA website