In Memoriam: Charles William Gossett
Charles William Gossett, a former chair of the political science department, died May 10 in Palm Springs surrounded by friends after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 72.
Gossett arrived at Cal Poly Pomona in 2002 to serve as political science department chair. He taught at CPP for seven years and then later returned in 2017 as a visiting professor and interim director of the master of public administration program. His specialties in research included public sector human resources management, state and local intergovernmental relations, and African politics.
A former special assistant to then-Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Berry, Gossett also supported LGBTQ+ causes personally and professionally, compiling the first database of gay and lesbian elected officials in the United States.
Gossett earned a bachelor’s in political science from Hope College and a master’s and doctorate in political science from Stanford University. He held administrative positions at Georgia Southern University and Sacramento State.
Gossett is survived by his sisters, Patricia Voss of Missouri and Barbara Gossett of Florida; a niece, Melanie Voss Earney; two nephews, Eric Voss and Bryan Reynold; a goddaughter, Ishana Ratan; and many close friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on June 5 at The Church of St. Paul of the Desert in Palm Springs. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California, or any LGBTQ or educational organization.