DR. HENRY GLEITMAN

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HENRY GLEITMAN Obituary

GLEITMAN
DR. HENRY, September 2, 2015. Husband of Dr. Lila (nee Lichtenberg); father of Ellen (Mark) Luchette and Claire Gleitman (Dr. David DeVries); brother of George Gleitman; grandfather of Philip and Lucas DeVries, Zachary and Zoe Luchette.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders,
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

www.goldsteinsfuneral.com

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Sep. 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for HENRY GLEITMAN

Sponsored by Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors, Inc. - Philadelphia.

6 Entries

Janet White

June 22, 2017

I'm very sad to have just learned of Henry's passing. I worked as his secretary for a few years, half a lifetime ago, but I remember him vividly; it would be hard not to, for he was such a vivid personality. He was an amazing human being - a great intellect, dedicated to his students, passionate about his theatrical projects, hilariously funny, and also sensitive and contemplative. We had some deep conversations. He was a father figure to me, gave me sound advice, which I wish I'd taken. He adored his family and spoke glowingly of them. He was a fine man, a true original. I will always remember him with the deepest affection.

George Milner

December 2, 2016

I was writing a note to a friend explaining the importance of passionate, engaging teachers. I came across this page while looking for a reference to Dr. Gleitman that I could share. I am very sorry for your loss and I have spent some time today thinking back over my years at Penn and of Dr. Gleitman's course in particular.

I was lucky enough to be a student at Penn (Class of '82) and doubly lucky to have found a place in Dr. Gleitman's lecture hall. I am sure you have heard from many of his importance to the Penn community and how well-attended his courses were but it went beyond those descriptions. There was a buzz on campus when word spread that Dr. Gleitman was going to give his "Praying Mantis" lecture. Just as Springsteen can draw a crowd to hear his music, the normally crowded lecture hall would fill to overflowing as students who were not enrolled in the class converged on the auditorium. He didn't disappoint. It was good entertainment and fantastic teaching. He understood, as all great teachers do, that you need to find a way to share the passion you have for your subject so that your students can feel it too. I was not then a Psychology major and I am not now a teacher but I am thankful he was both. To this day I can point to time spent in his class that has made me think about the world a little differently. It is like receiving a gift to learn from an inspiring teacher.

Thank you, Dr. Gleitman. You are missed.

You were so fun.

Ellen Luchette

September 11, 2015

I miss you and love you so much, Dad. I could never have dreamed of a better father.

September 6, 2015

Henry Gleitman was a precious member of the community of psychologists and a warm and wonderful human being. For many of us he was a living link to a classic era in psychology and a font of knowledge about its formative ideas. His collaborations with Lila and their students (today some of the luminaries of cognitive science) introduced profound ideas, demonstrated with ingenious methodology, to our understanding of language and cognition. Perhaps more than anyone, he elevated the teaching of psychology, and the writing of psychology textbooks to form of meticulous literary and intellectual craftsmanship. When I took over the introductory course at MIT and then at Harvard, and as I prepare my lectures, I hold myself to the high standards that Henry set.

Henry was also a warm colleague and a wise mentor, even to people like me who were not his students. I have many happy memories from being a guest in the Gleitman household, and two stand out.

One evening we were seated around the kitchen table discussing a colleague who had a penchant for sudden enthusiasms which he pursued with furious exuberance, not always to lasting effect. Henry compared the man to a frog in milk and proceeded to do a whole-body impression (Henry was also an accomplished theater director), shouting, Milk! milk! milk! milk! butter! butter! butter! butter! butter! butter! butter! butter! butter! cheese! cheese! cheese! cheese! cheese! cheese! cheese! cheese! I thought I might die laughing.

Henry's introductory course lectures attracted large crowds (not just the enrolled students) and always ended with hearty applause. One night Lila, a witty and beloved lecturer in her own right, complained that she never drew these ovations, and asked if he had a secret. He said, Yes. When you're finished speaking, bow.
--Steve Pinker

September 3, 2015

My deepest sympathy for your loss. May you find strength and comfort in God who promises to be "a secure refuge in times of distress"(Psalm 9:9)

Thomas Capo

September 3, 2015

So sorry to hear of the passing of such an important contributor to our understanding of the human condition.

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