Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
ELLIOT SPERLING Obituary
A leading historian of Tibet and China, MacArthur Fellow, advocate for human rights and loving father has died of a heart attack - He was 66. He was adored by all and was deeply devoted to his family and community. He was known for his humor, quick wit, compassion, humility and generosity - He is survived by his daughter Coline.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for ELLIOT SPERLING
Lara Maconi
February 3, 2022
Missing you so very much, Elliot. Imagining you flying high above the sky.
Marie HOLZMAN
February 3, 2021
Elliot, we remember you with a grateful heart. No one can replace you in our memory ! Love. Marie
Dr Joachim Karsten
February 3, 2021
Wonderfully knowledgeable and trustworthy friend and colleague who left us way too early...
Karma Zurkhang
February 3, 2020
Remebering Prof. Elloit's contribution to Tibetan studies, especially the erstwhile History of Tibet and its sad relationship with China. He knew Tibet was never a part of China until Communist China's Mao invaded and occupied it in 1059. The cry for freedom from China will always chime......
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Enver Can
February 3, 2020
Dear Elliot,
As you had asked the free society to be concerned about Your friend Ilham Tohti, now it is the case: thus he wad awarded in 2919 with The Vaclav Havel and Sakharov Prizes!
Peace be upon you!!
Joachim Karsten
March 9, 2017
Elliot was my phd outside reader. Have known him from 1979 (Oxford) on. He was one of the greatest scholars and mentors of my life. Thank 'God': Have been in touch with him until very recently. Have always felt honoured by his interest in my humble work.
David Templeman
March 5, 2017
In Elliot's passing we have lost one of the great contributors to Sino-Tibetan studies. And what a nice person too....almost all my memories of Elliot are of his boundless energy, his willingness to help others, his courage to stand and say truth and his zany wittiness. You are sorely missed Elliot.
IU Student
February 27, 2017
My favorite professor freshman year! RIP to this amazing man
Anna Lysa KROLIKOVA
February 20, 2017
May you in your Bardo spot those sacred islands which Osip M. dreamt of in the 1930's ...
where no one eats broken bread, where there is only honey, wine and milk,
where creaking labor does not cloud the sky, and the wheel turns easily.
Fare well, Elliot.
Anna Lysa KROLIKOVA
February 20, 2017
May you in your Bardo spot those sacred islands which Osip M. dreamt of in the 1930's ...
where no one eats broken bread, where the is only honey, wine and milk,
where creaking labor does not cloud the sky, and the wheel turns easily.
Fare well, Elliot.
Brenton Sullivan
February 18, 2017
Elliot's scholarship inspire me (and many others) to first set out upon the study of Sino-Tibetan relations in the past. He will be sorely missed.
Robert Mayer
February 14, 2017
Elliot was a wonderful colleague and friend, full of warmth, wit, wisdom and energy. He has left us far too soon.
Katia BUFFETRILLE
February 13, 2017
With geat sadness
Heather Stoddard
February 11, 2017
Both working on Tangut-Tibet relations in the early 1970s, we remained good friends and colleagues all the way through. He was modest brilliant brave and so funny!
Peter Schwieger
February 11, 2017
Elliot has been a wonderful colleague for so many years and a true friend as well. From him I learned much about the broader picture. And I always appreciated the humor he had added to our scholarship from the very beginning. I am sure many of us will miss Eliot's particular color when we will have our meetings somewhere around the world in the future. And when remembering our last meetings I realize that there is no substitute for all the things left to discuss between us.
Tsering Lhundup
February 10, 2017
Elliot still stands in my heart to the truth of Tibet and its people.
February 10, 2017
In Elliot Sperling's sudden and untimely passing away, the limited but genuine Sino-Tibetan academic scholarship has taken a pause, and the Tibetan Freedom Struggle (Independence) has lost a dear an fearless friend and advocate...
I cherish our early days at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, where most of today's authorities on Tibetan studies began their journey, including but not limited to Jeffery Hopkins and Robert Thurman.... As someone who worked at the Library, I can appreciate their contribution to Tibet's cause, and remain ever grateful to them.
My belief in immutable Karma prompted me to share my believe that Elliot has earned the right to be born as a Tibetan.
Karma G Zurkhang
began their new
Enver Can
February 10, 2017
Dear Elliot,
The Gang, Ilham, generally all Uyghurs will miss you, miss a humanist who has struggled for their rights, couched the family and was a faithfull friend!
Be assured that the rest of the Gang is as determined as before to carry out the joint mission also in your absence till the very end!
I will keep you in memory as the Chief Adviser of the Intiative and tell him once we get him FREE!
Charlene Makley
February 10, 2017
What a blow. Eliot was a leading light in Tibetan and Chinese studies. Few will match the depth of his scholarship and the sharpness of both his insight and his critiques. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends all over the world.
Marie Holzman
February 10, 2017
Dear Elliot, You had so much more to teach us, we needed your help more than anything, we loved your kind remarks, and you left us in the middle of nowhere ! You are sorely missed
February 10, 2017
His work gave great hope and meaning to even those of us who did not belong directly in Tibetan Studies or Buddhist studies. I mourn his passing. Rest in peace.
February 10, 2017
Elliot was a positive presence in every way. I fondly recall, as a graduate student, the game show atmosphere he established in our one-on-one reading course of Tibetan texts whereby my incorrect interpretations were met by a mock buzzer. His rigorous scholarly standards inspired and elevated us all.
Paul Nietupski
February 10, 2017
Elliot was a friend and mentor, with a sharp mind and smile.
Dan Martin
February 10, 2017
This was so unexpected, even a week later I can't believe it happened. There was more for you to do for the world. It's problems are not yet fixed. What are we supposed to do? We'll miss you every day from now on.
Tsering Woeser
February 10, 2017
I would sometimes call him Genla (teacher), but he always wanted me to call him Elliot, because we were friends, as he said, real friends. He also said, I hope that one day I can show you my hometown New York. Many people on Facebook have been commemorating him - our Elliot Sperling, grieving in tears for losing him. Let me share this one sentence: It's as if a whole library has burned down
Lara Maconi
February 10, 2017
Thank you for being such an incredibly gifted, witty, generous, funny scholar, friend and human being, dearest Elliot. Anything could become extremely interesting with you, and worth talking about: Tibet and China, of course, but also Bronx in the 50s and 60s, Ariane Mnouchkine's theater and...The Sopranos which whole series' script you knew literally by heart! You will be missed. RIP now.
February 10, 2017
Thank you for being such an incredibly gifted, witty, generous, funny scholar, friend and human being, dearest Elliot. Anything could become extremely interesting with you, and worth talking about: Tibet and China, of course, but also Bronx in the 50s and 60s, Ariane Mnouchkine's theater and...The Sopranos which whole series' script you knew literally by heart! You will be missed. RIP now.
francoise Pommaret
February 10, 2017
A friend since 1979, a great colleague and scholar, Elliot will stay with me for his humour and his generosity.
Dorjee
February 10, 2017
Lost a great voice of truth.
Woeser Tsering
February 10, 2017
I would sometimes call him Genla (teacher), but he always wanted to me directly call him Elliot, because we were friends, as he said, real friends. He also said: I always hope that one day I can show you my hometown of New York. Many people on Facebook commemorate him, our Elliot Sperling, thinking of him in tears. Let me share this one sentence: It's as if a whole library has burned down
Yaxue Cao
February 9, 2017
I have the honor to have crossed paths with Elliot Sperling - a gift to be cherished forever. Rest in peace, .
Marcie S. Gitlin
February 9, 2017
I first met Elliot Sperling in September, 2015, at the Trace Foundation, when I attended his informal series of "conversations" on aspects of Tibetan history. His knowledge and devotion to his field were clearly evident, and I easily understood how he had touched his students' lives. We had several subsequent encounters at The Rubin Museum of Art. Though our acquaintance was brief, I will recall him with great fondness. May his memory always be for a blessing.
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
Make a Donation
in ELLIOT SPERLING's name
Memorial Events
for ELLIOT SPERLING
How to support ELLIOT's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor ELLIOT SPERLING's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
