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EDGAR GREGERSEN Obituary

GREGERSEN--Edgar. Edgar Alstrup Gregersen, was born April 24, 1937, to immigrant parents, Carl and Solveig (Lamberg) Gregersen. He died (March 29, 2020) in the Bronx, as a result of coronary arrest. He received his bachelor's degree in 1957 from Queens College and his Ph.D. from Yale in 1962. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. Gregersen was a well-known and well-regarded American anthropologist, educator, linguist, and writer. His wrote several grammars of African languages, including: Language in Africa; Prefix and Pronoun in Bantu; Luo: A Grammar. His pioneering work in the study of human sexuality resulted in his textbook The World of Human Sexuality. He taught in the Linguistics Department at Columbia University from 1963 to 1968 and was professor of anthropology at Queens College, as well as the Graduate School of the City University of New York, 1969-2003. He was professor emeritus from 2003 until his death. Gregersen took an interest in his students and was generous in his support for those who turned to him.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 31, 2020.

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Seiichi Mano

May 26, 2020

I am truly grieved at the departure of Prof. Gregersen. He was one of the best professors I ever had. He took a great interest in all his students, and loved what he taught. I remember meeting him a couple of times in Manhattan (where he lived at the time) when we were in New York. It was always a delight to meet him. Rest in Peace, Dr. Gregersen, and Rest in Power!

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Don Hulbert

Planted Trees

Victor Langhorne

April 3, 2020

Edgar was a most impressive individual. Beloved and appreciated, yet apparently humble. I gave him my flowers at his retirement party. I compared him as he basked with apparent appreciation to Jesus. When we met the first time he observed my speech pattern and amazed me with his dead-on accurate identification of my origin.

Wojciech Dojka

April 2, 2020

Edgar was my mentor during my years at Queens College and a dear friend afterwards. A brilliant anthropologist and linguist. He was always full of optimism and hope, and readily offered his help to others in need.

Do zobaczenia, przyjacielu!

April 1, 2020

Brilliant and generous - will be missed

Stephen Baker

April 1, 2020

Edgar and I were suitemates in our first year at the Yale Hall of Graduate Studies in 1957. I remember being impressed that he had already worn out his Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, whereas mine is only now falling apart. The first day we met, he used his linguistic expertise to change my life by explaining how to correct a lisp. We stayed in touch sporadically for the rest of his life, and I always enjoyed his wry but gentle sense of humor.

Brad Holway

April 1, 2020

Edgar was my both my former professor and a longtime friend. He was a brilliant man and a fine gentleman. I will always remember him with fondness.

Carlos Medina

March 31, 2020

Edgar was the quintessential professor. I have known you since my Queens College days in the Anthropology Department as a student. I truly will miss you. We will meet again!
Carlos Medina

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