Cletus E. Daniel, professor of American labor history in the ILR School, died unexpectedly at his home April 18. He was 66 years old.

A popular teacher and prolific author, Daniel was an expert on the history of American labor movements as well as on fair employment practices, labor and politics, labor relations, unions and workplace democracy.

Daniel joined the ILR School faculty in 1973. He received the ILR Excellence in Teaching Award in 1979 and 1982 and the University Paramount Professor for Teaching Excellence in 1992. Since 1989, Daniel had served as director of the school's Off-Campus Credit Programs.

"Professor Clete Daniel was a devoted teacher and mentor throughout his career at ILR," said Dean Harry Katz. "He was beloved by innumerable students."

Daniel received bachelor's and master's degrees in history from San Jose State University in 1967 and 1969 and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Washington in 1972.

He wrote many articles and books, including "Bitter Harvest: A History of California Farmworkers, 1870-1941," "Chicano Workers and the Politics of Fairness: The FEPC in the Southwest, 1941-1945" and "The ACLU and the Wagner Act: An Inquiry into the Depression-Era Crisis of American Liberalism." Daniel's most recent book, "Culture of Misfortune: An Interpretive History of Textile Unionism in the United States," was published in 2001 by Cornell University Press.

"Clete had been a professor of mine over 20 years ago; we renewed our friendship recently through the Cornell intern program," said Kathleen Asser Weslock '83, who, as chief human resources officer for SunGard Data Systems, provided internships to Daniel's students. "I gave a guest lecture to his students recently, and he just looked at his past and present students with such pride. The Cornell world has just lost one of its most beloved professors -- and my heart goes out to his family and those students, including my son as an incoming ILRie, who will never benefit from his tutelage."

"He was irreverent and so unassuming and so smart. I knew I was entering a completely different life," said Seth Harris '83, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor, about meeting Daniel upon his arrival at the ILR School. "It was like opening the door. Come in here, this is where the grown-ups are."

Daniel is survived by his wife, Helen, and their son. A celebration of Daniel's life is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the S.P.C.A. of Tompkins County ,1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.