Former University administrator Amram Ducovny died at age 75 August 23 in Paris, where he had moved to focus on his career as a novelist. He died of heart disease, according to his literary agent, Andrew Blauner. Ducovny, a writer and father of "X-Files" star David Duchovny of Los Angeles, became the University's director of public affairs in 1977 and served as vice president for public affairs from 1978 to 1982.

Jerry Cohen, chairman of the American Studies department, immediately recalled Ducovny's sense of humor: "He was extremely funny, witty, warm and informal. With a wonderful sense of irony and humor, he didn't take himself seriously. He really had a kind of strong sense of himself."

Trustee emeritus David Squire, who was vice president of administration when Ducovny worked for the University, agreed. "He was a very creative guy with a tremendous sense of humor," Squire said.

Ducovny, who was affectionately known as Ami by members of the Brandeis community, didn't just have the ability to make others laugh. In addition to being a "brilliantly funny man," as Cohen said, Ducovny's originality and creativity allowed him to write "brilliant literary descriptions of honorary degree recipients."

The University president at the time, Marver Bernstein, who Cohen described as "traditional and formal," would edit the descriptions "to make them more like Bernstein," Cohen said.

Despite Ducovny's deviating and distinctive style, "he was very effective at Brandeis," Cohen said.

"He was very creative and bold in his thinking of ideas of how to project the University," Squire said. "He had a very good sense of public relations and what was needed in public relations."

Aside from Ducovny's love of humor and innovative ideas, he was known for his moves on the tennis court.

Associate Professor of Fine Arts Gerry Bernstein, one of Ducovny's former tennis partners, said "Duchovny was not a trained player, but a marvelous competitor."

"Although he had a weak backhand," Cohen added with a laugh, "he was a very good tennis player."

Before his Brandeis years, Ducovny worked in public relations for the American Jewish Committee in New York, and later, until he retired, for the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston.

After growing up in Brooklyn, he received his B.A. from New York University.

Ducovny's first novel, "Coney," which was published in 2000 by Overlook Press, is set in the Coney Island of his childhood in the 1930s.

Dana Kennedy, in The New York Times Book Review, wrote that Ducovny's novel is "as satisfying and exhilarating as a ride on the Cyclone." He was able to "transport readers swiftly into the garish seamy heart of Coney Island," Kennedy wrote.

Cohen went to a book signing to receive an autographed copy when the novel was released.

"It was a wonderful, beautiful, nostalgic novel about Jewish American life ... it's a magnificent reminiscence of New York and Jewish life in New York," Cohen said.

Squire and his wife, Patricia, met with Ducovny for dinner in Paris a few years ago, when the novel had been completed but was yet to be released.

"He was very, very pleased," Squire said.

Squire added that Ducovny was "very proud" of his son.

And Cohen said that feeling should be mutual.

"David Duchovny should be proud of his father," Cohen said.

Cohen also said that Ducovny "shouldn't be mainly known as the father of the celebrity David Duchovny, because David Duchovny is the son of the well-known and wonderfully talented Ami Ducovny."

The "h" in Ducovny's name was dropped to prevent the mispronunciations that were common while he served in the army.

Ducovny's first marriage, to Margaret Ducovny, ended in divorce.

Aside from David Duchovny, Mr. Ducovny is survived by his daughter Laurie Duchovny of New York, another son, Daniel Ducovny of Los Angeles; his wife, Varda Ducovny of Paris; a stepson, Jonathan Sahula of Boston; and two grandchildren.

Although "Coney" was Ducovny's first novel, he had written nonfiction works before, including "David Ben-Gurion In His Own Words" and several humor books. His play, "The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald," had a brief Off- Broadway run in 1967. His son, David, was seven-years-old during the production of the play, which gave him a glimpse into the thespian realm.

Now, the few members left of the Brandeis community who knew Ducovny remember his dedication to the University.

"He was devoted to the school and his contribution to Brandeis should be acknowledged," Bernstein said.

"He served his institution with great loyalty," Cohen agreed.

Cohen added: "I'm delighted that he lived out his dream, and did what many of us dream of - getting out of the rat race and being our own people.