EUGENE LITWAK

LITWAK--Eugene. Eugene Litwak, a renowned sociologist whose work on community organizing and social institutions gave educators, activists, and public servants the tools to better serve their communities, died on February 5 at his home in Rye, NY, with his beloved wife of 72 years, Eleanor, by his side. Eugene had a distinguished academic career that spanned five decades. To him, sociology was more than just his work; it was part of a lifelong commitment to improving people's lives. When his son Ezra was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, Eugene expanded his focus to study and help solve issues faced by marginalized communities dealing with the AIDS crisis. Eugene's kindness and patience with friends, students, and family, even in the face of pain and loss were foundational to who he was. Eugene was born on June 23, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, and was the son of Russian- Jewish immigrants. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the army serving as a scout on the front lines in Germany. After the war, he returned to Detroit, getting his bachelor's degree at Wayne State University before going on to Columbia University to complete his PhD. Following stints of teaching at Cornell, Chicago, and the University of Michigan, he returned to Columbia, where he held joint tenured appointments in the Department of Sociology and the School of Social Work. In 1985, he was appointed Head of the Sociomedical Sciences Division at Columbia's School of Public Health. In addition to his academic career, Eugene was a lifelong artist. After his retirement in 1996 he began his second career, immersing himself in wood carving. His powerful compositions address the joys and conflicts of the human condition: the pain of war, the strife of class conflicts, the comfort of family. Along with his wife, Eleanor, he is survived by his two children, Nora Jinishian and Nathaniel Litwak; his six grandchildren, Julia Reissner, Samantha Jinishian, John Jinishian, Ben Litwak, Miranda Litwak and Emilia Litwak; and his three great-grandchildren.