Medill professor emeritus-in-service Ted Spiegel, who helped develop the school’s marketing curriculum, died Saturday at the age of 82.

Spiegel worked to establish the nation’s first direct marketing program for graduate students. In 2011, more than a decade into his emeritus status, he launched the Medill IMC Spiegel Digital and Database Research Initiative.

“My colleagues have all called this ‘a sad day,’ and I’m among those at the front of the line sharing in this loss,” said Prof. Tom Collinger, the initiative’s executive director, in a news release.

Others who worked with Spiegel spoke to his innovative mindset for Medill’s integrated marketing communications program.

Up to his last weeks, the professor challenged faculty to adopt new technology and teaching approaches, said Prof. Edward Malthouse, the initiative’s research director.

“We will miss his vision for IMC education and research,” Malthouse said in the release.

Spiegel is survived by his wife, Audrey. Plans for a campus memorial service have not been finalized as of Monday night.

— Manuel Rapada