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Michael Horowitz Obituary
Binghamton - Michael M Horowitz died quietly at home, surrounded by his family on November 20, 2018. He was predeceased by his parents, Abraham and Rachel Horowitz, and by his sisters, Dr. Helen Pattin and Dr. Joan Welkowitz. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Sylvia; three children - Andrew (Carol), Stephanie, and Daniel (Laura); and three grandchildren - Dr. Viva, Elias, and Talia. He loved children and was a kind and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He was an accomplished folk musician.
Born in New York in 1933, Michael graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1951, and from Oberlin College in 1955. He earned a PhD in Anthropology from Columbia University in 1959. In 1961 he came to what is now Binghamton University and founded the Department of Anthropology the following year. He was awarded a Distinguished Professorship in 2002. A brilliant and passionate anthropologist who loved both fieldwork and teaching, Michael devoted his life to social justice. In 1976 with Ted Scudder and David Brokensha he founded the Institute for Development Anthropology, a research institute situated in downtown Binghamton at 99 Collier Street until 2002. He received the Kimball Award in 2000 and the Malinowski Award in 2006. Michael authored or co-authored 18 books and monographs, and he published 62 articles and book reviews. He wrote and produced a half-hour film: Large Dams and Small People: Management of an African River. The family would like to thank his many caregivers including Roadena, Luanne, Aili, Ophelia, Yong and Kate, in addition to Lourdes Hospice.
The funeral will be November 21, as follows. Memorial service, 11 - 11:45 am, at Temple Israel, 4737 Deerfield Pl, Vestal, NY. Burial will follow, 12 - 1 pm, Temple Israel Riverside Cemetery, 719 Conklin Rd, Binghamton, NY 13903. Meal of consolation and shiva minyan, 1:30 - 3 pm, 22 Crestmont Road, Binghamton, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Israel, 4737 Deerfield Pl, Vestal, NY. All arrangements entrusted to Ernest H. Parsons Funeral Home 71 Main Street Binghamton, NY. Please visit ParsonsFuneral.com to offer your condolences.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Horowitz
Sponsored by the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
5 Entries
John Magistro
December 21, 2018
As a doctoral student of Dr. Horowitz, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Senegal River Basin Monitoring Activity (SRBMA) field research program from 1987-1990 and obtain my masters and doctoral degrees. Michael guided my intellectual development in anthropology and had a profound influence in the way I frame my understanding of the world today. He was exacting in his pursuit of knowledge and his expectations of his protégés. My deepest condolences to Sylvia and the family. John Magistro, PhD, 1994.
Madiodio Niasse
December 20, 2018
It is only two days ago that I learned the sad news of the passing of Prof Michael Horowitz. Michael (and Dr Muneera Salem-Murdock) hired me in 1988 to serve as field researcher in the Senegal River Basin Monitoring Activity (SRBMA), a four-year research project then funded by USAID and carried by the Institute for Development Anthropology. What I have learned during this period under Michael's mentorship was key to the subsequent direction that my career have taken (serving with the World Commission on Dams and other high level international positions). I remember him as a man of passion (for the poor and marginalised communities), and a man of rigour and intellectual excellence. My sympathy to his family. Rest in peace Professor. Dr. Madiodio Niasse, Senegal
November 22, 2018
Dear Sylvia and family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on Michael's passing and may his memory be for a blessing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Phyllis & Jerry
November 21, 2018
It is with great sadness that I hear of Michael's death. My deepest condolences to Sylvia and the rest of the family especially Andy, Stephanie and Viva. I regret that I will not be able to participate in memorial services in Binghamton because I am currently doing fieldwork in Mexico. My thoughts, however, are with you all.
Randall McGuire
November 21, 2018
Thinking of the Horowitz family at this time of passing of their husband, father, and grandfather.
~ René Neville
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