Louis E. Catron

Retired Prof. Louis E. Catron, 78, died Oct. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was noted for his direction of popular William & Mary Theatre musicals, classical plays, modern dramas and comedies.A number of Prof. Catron’s students excelled as actors, directors, screenplay writers and authors. Perhaps best known are actress Glenn Close and novelist-screenwriter Karen Hall of "MASH" and "Hill Street Blues." His playwriting graduates went on to write more than 40 books, several dedicated to him.Louis Catron was born in Springfield, Ill., in 1932 and was educated at Millikin University and Southern Illinois University. During the Korean War, he served in the Navy. Prior to teaching, he held a variety of jobs. He enjoyed success as an actor, but felt he belonged in teaching theater.He joined William & Mary in 1966. He wrote more than a dozen books for the theater, most dealing with play writing and directing. Several became college staples. Prof. Catron was also an accomplished sailor who raced in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. After retirement in 2002, he taught popular courses for the Christopher Wren Association and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Faith in Action. facebook.com/Lecatramazon.com/l/B001HD3ZS8