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Myron Lunine Obituary
August 24, 1929
Myron "Mike" Lunine was born to Samuel and Rose Lunine in Wyomissing, PA on August 24, 1929.
Mike received his B.A. in European literature and Thought, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa. He received his M.A. from the University of Illinois in Philosophy. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in Political Science.
Mike was in higher education for sixty-eight years. He taught and was in administration at the University of Iowa, University of Colorado, Fisk University, University of Istanbul, Kent State University, Hampshire College, Western College of Miami University (founding dean) and San Francisco State University; where he continued to teach until the Fall of 2019. Mike is the author of numerous published articles and recently completed his book, "The Conscience of Nonviolence: A Conversation with Socrates, Thoreau, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr." (forthcoming).
A prolific Gandhi and Peace Studies professor and activist, he was an agent for change in higher education. As Mike recently wrote, "I am lucky enough to have been participating in the Conversation about Conscience, Justice, and Nonviolence for the past sixty years as a college professor, dean and, intermittently, activist. I have taught and learned from undergraduate courses and graduate seminars on Socrates, Thoreau, Gandhi, and King, and helped found socially engaged, interdisciplinary programs and experimenting colleges at six public and private, large and small, traditionally black and predominantly white universities in most parts of the United States and in universities in India [Fulbright Scholar, 1958-59], Turkey [Fulbright Professor, 1965-67], and Central America."
Mike died peacefully in his Berkeley home on May 4, 2020. He is lovingly survived by his wife Kay, his sons, Brij, Seth and Benny, his daughter-in-law Michelle, and his grandchildren Oscar, Neva, Maxine, and Liam.
Memories and Condolences
for Myron Lunine
20 Entries
melissa miller
August 1, 2025
I knew him through my father,they were good friends for many years.They knew each other in Istanbul. Never had the chance to be in his classes at san francisco state.
Margaret B. Estabrook
July 2, 2025
With deep, abiding gratitude to the late Professor Lunine, an exceptionally motivating educator ...
Lynne Mason
December 22, 2024
I have just learned of his passing. He was my teacher at SFSU in 1986. I was a re-entry student, in my 40's, three children at home, looking to change my life. Professor Lunine talked with me, supported me, told me there was only one truly noble profession - teaching - and I became a teacher. His contribution to my life is immeasurable.
Neil Stephen Hunt
May 5, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
S. Lydia Shiozaki
May 4, 2022
I was saddened to learn that Dr. Lunine left this life two years ago, on today's date, May 4, no less. He was the Dean of the Honor's College at Kent State when I was an undergraduate there from 1967 to 1972. How surprised I was to see him at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library where I worked for many years, a wonderful place for an English major to end up. I have to think that the events at KSU influenced his eventual specialty, and it is clear that he had a full and rich life, generous with all! Lucky to have known him, we will never forget him! All our sympathy, truly.
Sandra and John Sebastian
February 11, 2022
We just became aware of your sad loss of Mike in 2020! So sorry, and our most sincere condolences. We have fond memories of you Kay and the boys at McGuffey in Oxford in the 80-90s! (we live in Santa Rosa now). love to you all.
Shmuel Steven Klein
January 9, 2022
I sponsored an annual kadish for Dean Lunine to be set on his yartzeite
Neil Stephen Hunt
January 8, 2022
Rest in eternal peace, Professor Lunine.
Kasumi Ruslim
January 7, 2022
I just learned of the passing of prof. Lunine. I was his student at SFSU in 2013. I tried to add his Gandhi class on the first day of lecture, went to his office to share why I wanted to get in the class even though my major was Computer Science. I shared with him my life mentor - Daisaku Ikeda - 's life philosophy. I was surprised that he knew about Daisaku Ikeda. Over the span of 1 semester, I would go to his office hours to have dialogs with Prof. Lunine. I fondly remember the time he would share his sandwich with me & when I introduced him to a friend of mine, prof Lunine would refer me as his friend & teacher. I've never met someone as humble as him. Before my last day of class, I gave him a Gandhi pen that I found at a stationery store. I wonder how long he kept it with him. Even after I left SFSU, I kept thinking of him off & on & kept thinking of surprising him by showing up at his office hour just to have dialogs with him again. I wish I had done it before he passed. He was my favorite teacher ever. I'll forever fondly remember our interactions.
Eryn Dudley
May 19, 2021
I had Professor Lunine's class at the end of 2019. At the time of his class I was struggling a lot with anxiety related issues and was constantly feeling a looming fear of self doubt within my studies. However, in his class I felt like I could thrive. He was always supportive of my work and even told me one time: "You say some good things sometimes, you know that?" which I have since held very dear to me. I wish had broken out of my shell and taken the opportunity to thank him for that and took the opportunity to hear more of his wisdom. I always loved his stories and when he said things like "I prefer saying the woman with whom I am married to, over 'my wife.'" He was such a joy to have learned from.
Thank you Professor Lunine and my condolences to the family.
Melissa Miller
February 27, 2021
I knew Prof.Lunine through my father when we lived in Istanbul,1963-66. I later met up with him and his wife Kay in San Francisco in the 80's. He was always charming,funny,and never ran out of things to discuss. The world is sadly diminished with his passing.
Amber Ulrich
February 23, 2021
I had the great pleasure of having this wonderful man as a professor. I am heartbroken to hear about his death and wish all those who knew him well. He was quite possibly my favorite professor through my entire college career, and interestingly enough, ended up as an occasional topic of conversation between myself and another of my professors who was also one of his students herself. I had been sad to see him drop off the class list at State and had hoped he was still puttering about or enjoying a walk through the park. He had a great impact on a number of people and will be missed.
Tony Cherby
December 1, 2020
Mike was one of my teachers, and also one of my thesis advisors at Kent State University from 1968 to 1971 (MA. Political Science, 1971). Some of the most formative dialogs I ever had in my academic career were with him, which of course included discussions about the events leading up to and following "May 4." He helped shape my career and my life, like so many other young people. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Godspeed, Professor Lunine.
Carleton Hoffman
July 14, 2020
after leaving SF State many years ago i kept trying to find out whatever became of this wonderful educator and today i got this sad news from a former classmate. he was so imaginative and creative and had a wonderful sense of humor. one thing that left a lasting impression on his Humanities students was the slide show about his days in India. i will always regret not having met him again before he passed on.
Neil Hunt
June 23, 2020
one of my favorite professors. Rip professor lunine
Justin M. Walker
June 3, 2020
One of the best and most inspiring educators I've ever know. He was also an avid connoisseur of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I look forward to reading his forthcoming book in this time when voices such as his are so desperately needed. Thank you, Mike. The torch is passed. May you rest in peace, my friend.
Shmuel S Klein
June 1, 2020
Words cannot express my deepest condolences on hearing of the passing of Dean Mike Lunine. He was truly a wonderful person, who cared deeply for all those with whom he came in contact.
I want to share my fondest memory of him with you. I was privileged to be in the first class of the Western College of Miami University. After completing the Western core courses designed by your husband and others, I selected my concentration in journalism. I asked to be considered for the position of Editor in Chief of the Miami Student, Miami University's official newspaper. When I was successfully chosen as its Editor, the first person I thought of to share my good news, and news for the Western College Program and its Dean, your husband, was Mike. I literally ran from the selection committee directly across the entire Miami campus to your husbands office. It must have been 11:00 pm. I saw the lights on in his office, knocked on the door and there he was at his desk working. He was delighted at the news and I knew he would have tremendous nachas or pride in knowing one of his Western College students had achieved such a distinguished position at the University. If you know his Hebrew name and his father's Hebrew name, I would like to say kaddish for him. Shmuel (Steven) Klein Class of 1978
Deborah Kearns
May 30, 2020
I was Mike's undergrad and master's student at SFSU, as was my daughter, who never would have known the richness of higher education without him. Mike was wise, funny, playful, quirky, dedicated, required perfection of himself alone, but above all, he was kind. And I will miss him until I too leave this life.
Janet Tallman
May 24, 2020
I knew Mike both at Hampshire College when he was a dean and I of the faculty, and then again in San Francisco. His kindness, humor, clear sightedness. integrity and honesty provided for me oases of sanity in difficult academic worlds. I like to think he was a friend though we lost touch when I moved from the Bay Area 20+ years ago. His bravery and selflessness at Kent State remains for me a lifelong reminder of the best a human can be.
I cherish your life, Mike.
katherine cook
May 23, 2020
Namaste Dear Professor,
Your scholarship informed my life
Katherine Cook
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
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