U.S. Army veteran amd YSU Professor Peter Reday, Ph.D, was one of eight who did the Reading of the Names during the Memorial Day program at Veterans Plaza last May. He died Tuesday after teaching at YSU for more than 20 years. Photo by R. Michael Semple

YOUNGSTOWN — A Youngstown State University professor who spent two decades with the college has died.

YSU President Bill Johnson sent a letter to students and staff on Wednesday announcing Associate Professor of Marketing Peter Reday’s death. The letter suggests Reday died following a medical emergency while teaching his class.

According to his biography, Reday spent 20 years in the industrial marketing profession in both domestic and international areas before completing his PhD at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He spent time at Ottawa University, Kansas, Dunville Training and Ashland University, as well as Southern California University of Professional Studies.

He joined YSU in 2005 as an assistant professor, later becoming an associate professor in 2010.

“Dr. Reday was a kind soul, a veteran, someone who loved our university, and most importantly someone who loved our students. He will be tremendously missed,” Johnson wrote.

In remembrance of Reday, the YSU flag on the campus core will be lowered and flown at half-staff for three days starting today.