Marvin Eugene Grandstaff, former professor of education and advocate for faculty rights, died Thursday of colon cancer at age 68.

"Marvin was an extraordinary citizen of the university," English professor Philip McGuire said.

Grandstaff had the best interests of the faculty, students and university at heart, McGuire said.

"The university has not had many who are his equal," he said.

He led a failed attempt to unionize the university faculty in the early 1980s in response to budget cuts at the university. Afterward, he continued to work for faculty interests through academic governance.

Grandstaff participated with several committees and was appointed MSU Secretary of Academic Governance in 1995, a position he served until 2000.

But his life encompassed more than the university, family members said.

"He was a real artistic guy," his son Matt Grandstaff said.

Grandstaff said if he could describe his father in one word, it would be "inspiring."

Grandstaff enjoyed music, singing and playing the guitar, often with the Greater Lansing Arts Chorale. He also enjoyed drawing and painting.

Born in Harper County, Kan., Grandstaff graduated from Wichita State University in 1956 and went on to teach junior high music in El Paso, Texas.

He continued his education, receiving a master's degree from Kansas State Teacher's College in 1960 and doctorate from Indiana University in 1964.

He joined MSU in 1966, when he began teaching history and philosophy in the Department of Secondary Education and Curriculum.

In 1985, Grandstaff got a law degree from Cooley Law School and began teaching educational law in the reorganized Department of Educational Administration. He also taught undergraduate philosophy of education.

Grandstaff retired from the university in 2001.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Jo, his three sons and two grandchildren.