Dr. William Clayton Hubner Jr., BYU–Hawaii professor of business management, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2012, in a tragic automobile accident.
Hubner taught at BYU–Hawaii since 2003, and in addition to teaching had served as the dean of the College of Business, Computing, and Government, and as a bishop in a campus ward.
Dr. Hubner was loved and respected by students and fellow professors alike. His time at BYU–Hawaii was filled with achievement; according to his official obituaray, one of his greatest accomplishments was the creation of a new course – the Mathematics of Finance. In addition to this, he helped to start the public management minor with fellow professor Dr. Brian Houghton, was instrumental in the creation of the Mark and Laura Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship, created internship opportunities for students in the Kingdom of Tonga, assisted with social return on investment analyses for campus research supporting NGOs in the Philippines and India, served as an ad hoc advisor to the institutional research committee, co-founded the human factors research group at the Polynesian Cultural Center with Dr. Ronald Miller, and served on the strategic planning and budget committees. His list of accomplishments both within the University and outside of it goes on. Above all of his professional accomplishments and accolades, he was a dedicated husband and father.
As a professor, he challenged his students to work hard, to think creatively, and was a champion of the benefits of cross-disciplinary education. He wanted his students to be well rounded, encouraging them to make the most of their time in college, to study hard, work, and to participate in activities and to give service in church. For his business management strategic management class, he was known to give Shakespeare’s Othello as required reading – a testament to his ability to bridge the gap between disciplines.
Recently, Hubner was the speaker in a campus devotional. His wife Diana in her introduction told how when he was called as a campus bishop she would often tell the students the following:
“Clayton will tell you what he thinks in a very direct way; but he will also listen to what you have to say. He has the ability to understand an issue with lightning fast accuracy that can be surprising and humbling. He can be a leader as well as a follower. When he is a follower he will give you his loyalty, support, and protection. And if the timing is right, he has no fear in telling you how to improve. He expects you to do your best, and he will do his best too. Clayton believes in you, he believes in what you can be come. He believes in the mission of this Church. Clayton believes in Christ.”
Hubner, in his devotional address, counseled the campus community to “Live a Life Worth Losing." He said: “When we lose our life for Christ’s and the Gospel’s sake, we are presenting it as a willing sacrifice. If we would follow the pattern established in scripture, a life worth losing can only be the very best life we have to offer, one that is as pure and as sanctified and holy as we can make it. It is not the left-overs or cast off bits…[it] is the only way for us to find life eternal.”
UPDATE:A memorial service was held for Brother Hubner in Rochester (NY) on Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 10:00-11:00 AM. The service was at the Westfall Chapel, 1400 Westfall Rd., Rochester, NY 14618.
A memorial service will be held in Laie, Hawaii, on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 10 AM. The service will be at the Laie Hawaii North Stake Center (front chapel), on Naniloa Loop by the Laie Hawaii Temple.
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to funds established for BYU–Hawaii student scholarships and the Hubner children missionary funds. Information on how to donate to both funds can be found on Dr. Hubner’s obituary. Also listed on the page is the ability to send condolences to the family and sign the guestbook.