“Karl was a very determined, ambitious man,” said Arthur Hochner, associate professor of human resource management at the Fox School of Business. “For example, his original expertise wasn’t in computer science, but he was so focused that he mastered and eventually taught a course on it. He didn’t let his disappointments affect his drive, and that’s a good message.”

Born in Philadelphia, Price earned his undergraduate degree in management from Drexel University and his doctorate in organization theory at the University of Pennsylvania.

After graduation at Drexel, Price worked for U.S. Steel from 1961 to 1963. He then served as an instructor of computer science at his alma mater for seven years, and in 1970, he became an assistant professor of management at San Diego State University.

Price arrived at Temple as an assistant professor in 1972, and he later became an associate professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Relations and Organizational Behavior.

“Karl was a big man who had a commanding presence. He also was persuasive. He made many good hires in the HR Department and made an excellent chair,” said Vice Dean of the Fox School Raj Chandran.

From 1974 to 1976, Price also served as the director of the Ph.D. program in business administration.

He published several books, including Issues in Business: An Introduction to American Enterprise and Management Today, and wrote many articles for prestigious publications, including the Academy of Management Journal. Additionally, Price published many papers and made a number of presentations throughout his career.

Price left academia in 1980 and entered the corporate realm, where he thrived as a consultant for some of the largest firms in the world, including the human resources firm Towers Perrin.

“He was a great mentor and a captivating conversationalist, and had a tremendous reputation at the Fox School. He will most certainly be missed,” Hochner said.

— Written by Holly Otterbein
For the Fox School of Business