The University of New Mexico (UNM) Law School family lost a member on June 6, when former dean and professor Fred Hart died.

During time at the University of New Mexico Law School, Hart served as the dean not once, but twice, from 1971-1977, and from 1985-1986. He is also remembered for the people he hired that significantly affected the university law school in ways many can still feel today.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) issued a statement to acknowledge the former law school dean’s passing in a June 8 tweet, calling Hart a ‘visionary’ and linking to a news article from the Albuquerque Journal announcing Hart’s death.

Former University of New Mexico dean and professor Fred Hart | Facebook

“Fred Hart was a visionary leader at UNM Law School, a tireless champion for diversity in the legal community, and a mentor to many New Mexicans. I'm grateful for his life of service to our state. Thinking of his family and friends during this time of loss,” wrote Heinrich.

The University of New Mexico notes that Hart was responsible for hiring the first female professor and the first two Hispanic professors in the Law School.

When he joined the faculty in 1966, he didn’t think it would last very long, according to a news release by the university. But Hart didn’t leave the university until he retired in 2003, before returning as a professor emeritus to teach again until May 2020. He created the Pre-law Summer Institute, which has helped to encourage more Native American students to pursue law.

The University dedicated the Frederick M. Hart wing in his honor in 2002 and established the Frederick M. Hart Chair in Consumer and Clinical Law in 2010. His teaching career also included time at Boston College Law School and New York University School of Law, among other university law schools across the country.