The State University of New York (SUNY) Farmingdale campus reeled this week from the sudden loss of a popular professor who was killed in a rafting accident last Wednesday.

Loretta Chiarenza and her husband, Angelo, of Bay Shore, were rafting in the Yellowstone River in Montana with another couple when their small rubber boat was pulled into the current, and all of the passengers were thrown into the water. Although Angelo and the other couple managed to swim ashore to safety, Loretta did not, and could not be revived after she was found on a small island in the river.

The tragedy occurred just a few weeks after the Chiarenzas' daughter Julie's wedding, as the middle-aged couple was spending time at their ranch in Montana. The couple, who had planned to retire to Arizona later this year, also has a son, Derek.

Dr. John Burkart, a colleague of Professor Chiarenza's at SUNY Farmingdale, who is also a deacon, this week was helping the family to make funeral arrangements. Dr. Burkart had known Loretta for 25 years, had co-authored two books with her, and had shared an office with her for five years. Obviously shaken by the loss, he related the grief of her family during a phone interview this week. "It's a hard loss for the family to take, and they're coping as best they can," he said.

Dr. Burkart described Loretta as a wonderful wife and mother, and as an instructor who was dedicated to her students. "She worked with each and every student no matter how long it took," he said. "She really helped a lot of people in her lifetime."

Known for her love of both life and the study of it, Chiarenza was a full professor of biology, (the title "full" marks excellence in teaching), and held two master's degrees - one in biology and one in nutrition. She began teaching at at SUNY Farmingdale in September of 1976, and eventually wore many hats at the school. While continuing to instruct, she took on the role of associate dean for the college's school of business in 1988, and in 1995, added the responsibility of acting chair of the ornamental horticulture department. She juggled her busy schedule well, and was heavily relied upon by students, according to Kathy Coley, director of communications for SUNY Farmingdale, who also knew Loretta personally. "She was so integral to the campus, that people are just laid low," she said. "If a student had a question, she had the answer, and she was always there for them. We will really miss her."

Noting that one of Chiarenza's responsibilities as associate dean was to advise students on class registration, Coley added, "She always had a line of students at her door, because they always knew that she would take care of business." On the professor's teaching, she commented, "She was much loved for her clear presentation of principles of human anatomy and physiology."

SUNY Farmingdale staff are not alone in their praise of the professor. Evaluation forms completed by students did the same. For example, the evaluations stated, "We highly recommend Professor Chiarenza as best teacher of the year," and that, "Professor Chiarenza is not only a good teacher but a fine person."

In addition, upon the news of her death (her last semester was this spring) several of her former students, many of whom were pursuing degrees in medical fields, sent letters to Dr. Burkart expressing their grief. Kerry Brady wrote, "I was terribly saddened to hear of Professor Chiarenza's death. My heart goes out to her family. Professor Chiarenza was wonderful to me. As a returning student, I was grateful for her encouragement, enthusiasm, and wisdom. She was a lovely, elegant woman, and an outstanding teacher. I'll always remember her."

Geraldine Pizzuti wrote, "She solidified my decision about entering the nursing field. I don't believe she knew what a wonderful model she was in her professionalism, the compassion she extended to her students, and how contagious her interest in the miracle of the body was. I feel very fortunate to have been taught by this lovely woman."

Dr. Burkart, too, was touched by the professor. "You could really see God working through her to help others," he said.

A memorial Mass for Loretta Chiarenza will be held at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Bayshore today at 10 a.m., with interment of ashes to follow at Calverton National Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held at the SUNY Farmingdale campus in the fall, when those professors and students who are away for the summer return.