Doug M. Amedeo, professor emeritus of geography at the School of Natural Resources, died Dec. 4 in Lincoln.
Amedeo was a leader in environmental perception and behavioral geography, focusing his career on the human dimensions of environmental and spatial issues. He began as an associate professor are the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1973, after serving for five years as an assistant professor at the University of California.
By 1992, he was promoted to full professor, and in 1993, he became the chair of the Department of Geography, which later was merged with the Department of Anthropology, and then the School of Natural Resources, his permanent faculty home. He served in that role for three years.
Amedeo also was a permanent member of editorial boards for the journals of Architectural and Planning Research and Environment and Behavior, as well as served on more than 18 university committees over the years.
During the course of his career, he published and presented more than 70 books, chapters, articles or papers and advised nearly 20 graduate students in pursuit of their doctorate degree. Even in his retirement, he continued to work with, advise and inspire students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Amedeo was born Sept. 21, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, to Guido and Jean (Gong) Amedeo. He served in the Korean War and, in 1962, earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wisconsin State University. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in geography from the University of Iowa in 1965 and 1967, respectively.
In 1977, he married Patricia Herriott, who survives him. He also is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Amedeo Nelson of Lincoln and Elizabeth Amedeo Stigleman (Marty) of Midland, Michigan.
A celebration of his life will be in spring 2020. Wyuka Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to women's, children's or animal charities. Condolences can be left on the Wyuka Funeral Home website.
