Retired sociologist Peter Ostafin dies at 75

Peter Ostafin, a retired University of Michigan administrator, was an American patriot, a lover of his ancestors' native Poland, and a "real Wolverine fan," according to a friend of 30 years, Professor Andrew Ehrenkreutz.
Ostafin, 75, died suddenly Tuesday at University Hospital.
Ostafin held a Ph.D. in sociology and was for many years an administrator in the U-M student housing department, according to his wife Eleanor. He moved to Ann Arbor from his native Massachusetts in 1935, after earning a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College.
"His life centered around the students, student activities, and student housing," Mrs. Ostafin recalled today. She said her husband assisted in the planning of much of the student housing standing on the university campus today.
"He never visited Poland," Ehrenkreutz said today, "and yet he spoke Polish very well, and was proud of his Polish heritage."
Ostafin established the Copernicus Endowment to sponsor annual lectures in philosophy, poetry and history, Ehrenkreutz said. He also was a co-founder of the Ann Arbor chapter of the Polish American Congress, a national organization that promotes the interests of Polish Americans in culture and academics, and supports independence for Poland.
Mrs. Ostafin said she hopes contributions to the Copernicus Endowment will help establish a chair for Polish Studies at the University, "and that's a $1 million project," she said.
In addition to his wife, Ostafin is survived by two daughters, Dr. Elisa Ostafin, and Marysia H. Ostafin, both of Ann Arbor, and one sister.
Arrangements are being handled by the Muehlig Chapel in Ann Arbor. There will be no visitation, and funeral arrangements are incomplete. The family has asked that contributions be made to the Copernicus Endowment, in care of 1500 Student Activities Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109.