The Rev. Arthur L. Dussault, `Mr. Gonzaga'

SPOKANE - The Rev. Arthur L. Dussault, whose 70-year affiliation with Gonzaga University earned him the title ``Mr. Gonzaga,'' has died at age 87.

Father Dussault, a Jesuit priest, died Sunday (May 17) at Sacred Heart Medical Center after suffering an apparent stroke on Friday.

Father Dussault was one of the university's foremost historians. As vice president emeritus at Gonzaga, he devoted his talents to fund raising, recruiting new students, campus planning and university promotions.

Born in Frenchtown, Mont., and raised in Butte, Father Dussault enrolled at Gonzaga Preparatory School as a junior in 1920 and graduated from Gonzaga University in 1926.

He and Gonzaga's most famous graduate, crooner Bing Crosby, began a lifelong friendship when they attended the university together, said university spokeswoman Carol Bonino. Father Dussault's office was filled with Crosby memorabilia.

Father Dussault was ordained a Jesuit in 1940 after earning a master's degree in religious studies at Gonzaga and training at Los Gatos, Calif.

He returned to Gonzaga in 1942 as dean of men and athletic director. In 1944, he was named director of public relations and alumni coordinator.

He was named vice president of university relations in 1958 and three years later received the American College Public Relations award for outstanding achievement. Father Dussault retired in September 1990 and was named vice president emeritus.