Submitted by Cynthia Gracianette Fuerst
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Courtland Merlyn Chaney (1952 to 2025)

I met Courtland in August 1975 when he and I were graduate students at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.  I was new to Baton Rouge and Courtland was generous with his advice, his notes for the Qualifying Exams in psychology and, most importantly, his solid support which I appreciated throughout my time at LSU. Courtland also paved the way for my entry into the University of Maryland. Though he left Europe and the University of Maryland before I arrived in the summer of 1982, he gifted me some essentials for University of Maryland annuals (travel books, bedding, kitchen items) as well as useful tips (where to go to get a car…at Auto-Joncker, ask for Margo). Typical Courtland….he was always a considerate friend. 

Courtland was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and earned his Doctorate in Industrial-Organizational in Psychology from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1980. In the summer of 1980, he left Baton Rouge to travel to Europe to teach for the University of Maryland. From summer 1980 to summer 1982, he taught a variety of classes across disciplines (Organizational Development as well as classes in human resources and human behavior).  Courtland adapted to the many and varied postings in his two years with the university (Rota, Spain; Brunssum NATO base in Holland; Vincenza, Italy; Trauben-Trarbach (probably teaching at Hahn Air Base or the Bit-Spang bases; Nurenburg area).  Always a dedicated student, Courtland also studied French in Belgium during his summers in Europe. He returned to Baton Rouge after his two years in Europe where he applied his skills to his chosen field of study (Industrial-Organizational Psychology). 

Once back “home” In Baton Rouge, Courtland continued to teach within the LSU Department of Management where he received the prestigious J. Trigg and Bettye Baskin Wood Jr Endowed Professorship which recognized educational excellence. In addition to teaching, he applied his I-O knowledge to support healthy organizations. He was a licensed psychologist and certified Senior Professional in Human Resources. In 1984 he co-founded Human Resource Management Associates, Inc. (HRMC).  Courtland was also involved in designing and conducting supervisory and management development programs through the university’s Continuing Education and Executive Development divisions. He was remembered for his “rare ability to make the complex simple” which made him an exceptional teacher and consultant. His social facilitation skills were beyond excellent. 

Courtland also had the unique ability to sustain his friendships from his teen years and throughout his professional career. He was intensely interested in and respectful of others’ perspectives, ideas, backgrounds, opinions, differences,….you get the idea. Courtland could fit into any type of group or gathering. One of his oldest friends noted that Courtland had the rare gift (especially in this day and age) of engaging positively with people of all backgrounds and developing a rapport with all with whom he engaged.  He was described as a “superb facilitator” who had exceptional skills in keeping groups flowing and enjoyable. His ambition was not to be in the spotlight but to ensure that others were comfortable in personal and professional settings. This friend realized that one really does not appreciate the contribution of someone like Courtland until he is no longer around. 

Courtland was also true to his south Louisiana roots and was comfortable slogging through the Louisiana marshes or reeling in a “big one” when fishing offshore.  One of his friends noted that despite these less-than-civilized excursions Courtland always emerged “like he had just stepped from a male ad in Vogue—beard neatly trimmed, pants and shirt cleaned and creased and not a spec of dirt on him!” 

Despite all his accomplishments, he would say that the most important thing he did was to marry his wife, Colette Duysens. I remember Courtland had talked to me about what would be important for him in his desired mate. He used the analogy of a table and enumerated four essential considerations to me (because a table needs four legs to give solid support). I have forgotten the specifics but I do remember that he wanted certain characteristics which included intelligence, friendship and something which I remembered as a beauty powered by self-confidence and intelligence. In Colette he found his perfect mate.  They were married in 1982 and welcomed their son Christopher in 1985.  He was a wonderful husband and a devoted father. 

In his formal obituary it was written that “(h)is family was the center of his world, and he filled their home with love, laughter, and unwavering support.”   Someone wrote about Courtland that “he embraced life fully…and never stopped engaging.” He enjoyed life and as one dear friend said, Courtland “loved what he did, was without artifice, and truly lived life to the fullest.”  All those who knew Courtland are sorely missing him. The world needs more people like Courtland.