Arthur M. Sandler, a professor of philosophy at Webster University who had created the first major in international human rights at a U.S. college, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after suffering a stroke. He was 65 and a resident of St. Louis.

Prof. Sandler was active for many years in civil rights and human rights advocacy, inspired in part by several trips to Central America. In 2005, he established the international human rights major at Webster University, which includes coursework in history, politics, philosophy and other areas. In an article by Matthew Fernandes in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Britt-Marie Schiller, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at Webster University is quoted as crediting him with creating the major.

The same article quotes Dan Hellinger, a Webster University professor, colleague and friend, as saying Mr. Sandler had friends everywhere. “He was absolutely determined not to treat anyone differently based on their social class. He rejected the university pecking order and had friends that cut across all groups, from the president of the university down to grounds crew members and cooks. He gave everyone the same amount of attention.”

Mr. Sandler was reared in the Bronx borough of New York City. He earned his bachelor’s degree at City College of New York, and a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught at Washington University in St. Louis for three years before joining Webster’s Philosophy Department in 1970.

He served as president of the faculty, chairman of the College of Arts and Sciences and chairman of the Department of Philosophy in the course of his career. In 1988, Prof. Sandler received the university’s Wilma and Roswell Messing, Jr. faculty award for summer study, which he used to examine the struggle for human rights in Central America.

Survivors included his wife, Vicki Woods; a daughter, Becky Sandler, and a son, Michael Sandler, both of New York City; two brothers, Marty Sandler of Tamarac, Fla. and Bobby Sandler of St. John, New Brunswick, and four grandchildren. Services were held last week.

Memorial contributions may be made to Human Rights Education Project, c/o Webster University, 470 East Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119.