KURT SALZINGER Obituary

SALZINGER--Kurt,

was a deeply thoughtful, humane, and passionate man. A loving father and husband, a brilliant and prolific scholar, a talented leader, and an inveterate punster, he will be profoundly missed. He died of a head injury after being knocked down on the subway. Kurt was born in Vienna, Austria in 1929. At 11 he fled the Nazis. Arriving in New York City in 1938, he attended the Bronx High School of Science, NYU, and Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in Psychology. As a committed behaviorist, Dr. Salzinger held positions at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Poly- technic University, the National Science Foundation, the American Psychological Association (APA), and Hofstra University. He was President of the New York Academy of Sciences where he initiated dialog with the Soviet Academy of Sciences. He was Executive Director of Science at the APA, among other roles, as well as President of the Association of Behavior Analysis and the Eastern Psychological Association. He wrote 14 books and 200 journal articles, and his work continues to be cited widely. He was joyfully married to Deanna Chitayat for 38 years. His children from his first marriage to Suzanne Salzinger loved and adored him. He leaves his wife Deanna Chitayat, his children Leslie, Alison, Meryl and John Salzinger, his grandchildren Tova Salzinger, Sanjay and Penelope Day, and Dev Singh-Salzinger, his step- children Mara and Aimee Chitayat, and his previous wife Suzanne. Memorial will be held at Riverside Chapel at noon on Sunday, November 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his name to HIAS.

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Published by New York Times on Nov. 10, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for KURT SALZINGER

7 Entries

Allan Yozawitz

September 24, 2019

Although it has been nearly one year since the tragic passing of Kurt, I just learned of his passing today from a tribute posted by APA. I am deeply saddened by this news. Kurt was my first role model of a psychologist when I was an undergraduate at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in the late 1960s. I admired him as a scholar, as someone who seemed to know everything about psychology, and as a calm as well as caring advisor. I owe my career in psychology to him because of his inspiration and modeling of professionalism. I always looked forward to seeing him at APA and to updating him on my career. Kurt also connected me to Biometrics Research at the Psychiatric Institute where I did my dissertation in the late 1970s.

His memory will always be an inspiration and motivator for me about the importance of being a scholar and a mensch. He was all of the above and so much more.

Allan Yozawitz, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

Martha Chaiken

November 19, 2018

I knew Dr. Salzinger while I was in the Psychology Department at Hofstra. As well as being an eminent scholar, he was always a welcome presence, radiating warmth and interest. I am so sorry for your loss.

Yvonne DeSarno Overbeck Watkins Glen, New York

November 14, 2018

I did not know Dr.Salzinger - how I wish that had been possible - but I was profoundly saddened to read of the manner by which he list his life, NY Post, 11/November, 2018..To have gone through life as he had - brilliantly gifted , having survived the atrocities of the holocaust and giving so much to the field of medical science and academia , how could one not be affected by the crazy and tragic way he lost his life? A beautiful, distinguished looking man with a wife he obviously adored ..My heartfelt condolences to his wife and family..Rest forever in peace, Dr. Salzinger...Prayerfully.

Gerald Weissmann M.D.

November 12, 2018

Same immigration history, same neighborhood as teens, same high school: Kurt was an intellect from start to finish.

Gary Edwards

November 12, 2018

I didn't know Mr. Salzinger, but from all that I've learned of him in several articles and from hearing Deanna speak of him, and just from looking at photographs of him from which the goodness in his heart visibly radiates, I can tell I would have liked him immensely and I feel a genuine sense of loss that such a wonderful man was taken from us. May the Lord comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Karyn Slutsky

November 11, 2018

My sincere condolences at this hard, sad time. Your loss is shared and understood as a loss to the larger world, too. May you find comfort in the many memories and contributions of Kurt Salzinger.

November 10, 2018

My condolences to the family. Cherish your memories and joy shared together. May God bring you comfort and peace. Isa. 61:12. Deepest Sympathies

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