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The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law community mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Edward Archer. Professor Archer died February 26, 2025. He was 88 years old.

Professor Emeritus Archer was a member of the faculty at IU McKinney from 1968 to 2001. Prior to joining the legal academy, he served as a legal assistant to a member of the National Labor Relations Board; practiced labor law at a law firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and taught legal writing at the University of Michigan Law School. In addition, he taught as a visiting professor at the University of Illinois College of Law.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Professor Emeritus Archer earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic, and a juris doctor and Master of Laws from Georgetown Law Center.

During his time at IU McKinney, Professor Emeritus Archer was instrumental in the creation of the annual labor-management relations seminar, which took place in downtown Indianapolis. The day-long event drew around 600 lawyers, union leaders, business executives, and government officials to Indianapolis. He was a member of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services and American Arbitration Association arbitration panels and of the National Academy of Arbitrators.

During his retirement, Professor Emeritus Archer tutored school children in math through his church in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood and practiced his artistic and woodworking skills. He also was devoted to Habitat for Humanity, hosting gatherings to build homes for the organization.

A memorial service will take place on March 21 at 1 p.m. at Unitarian Universality Church of Indianapolis, located at 615 W. 43^rd St., Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

A tribute to Professor Emeritus Archer was written by Professor Emeritus William Marsh and published in Volume 35 of the Indiana Law Review.