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Alvin Toffler Obituary
Alvin Toffler
Alvin Toffler, author of the 1970 best-seller "Future Shock," died Monday in Los Angeles He was 87 years old and had lived in Ridgefield 40 years ago
It's not many people who can invent a phrase that becomes part of the language Alvin Toffler did just that
"Future Shock" is now in every dictionary, defined as the inability to cope with the many, fast-paced changes of modern society
Toffler was once the nation's leading "futurist," a person who studies where we're going "Future Shock," published when he lived on Deer Hill Drive, discussed what happens "when too much change hits too fast for people to absorb"
It sold millions of copies and has been translated into dozens of languages
In his sequel 1980 best seller, "The Third Wave," he predicted that a worldwide technological revolution, like the agricultural and industrial revolutions before it, would change the way in which the world lives and works
The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang of China convened conferences to discuss "The Third Wave" in the early 1980s, and in 1985 the book was the No 2 best seller in China Only the speeches of the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping sold more copies
Toffler was born in New York in 1928, the only son of Polish immigrants He was writing poetry by the time he was 7 Though he admitted he was hardly a scholar in college and more interested in political activism, he managed to graduate from New York University with a degree in English and, there, met his wife, Adelaide Elizabeth "Heidi" Farrell
He began his writing career as a reporter for a trade magazine called "Industry and Welding" in 1954, primarily because he was experienced in mechanics
"The editor told me, 'You're getting this job because you know how to weld," Toffler once recalled "Now show me you know how to write'"
He eventually got a job at Fortune magazine, and wrote many free-lance articles for both scholarly and popular magazines The Times said his 1964 Playboy interview with Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov was considered one of Playboy's best
Heidi Toffler, who survives him, helped in writing all his books, including "Powershift" (1990), the final volume in their trilogy, and War and Anti-War (1995) In all, he wrote 13 books
The Tofflers lived here from 1967 until 1974 when they moved to California
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alvin Toffler
Joyce Friesen
September 20, 2017
I read Future Shock in high school, we even studied this book. Our class was called Future Change. Mr Toffler came to Minot ND to speak about his book, I was excited beyond words but too scared to ask a question. He started me and others in my group thinking. we found it hard to believe what he said could happen yet it did. much later in life i lived in redlands californina and my neighbor was Mr Toffler's niece. What a small world and yet so large. Not only did he influence his life, but so did his niece. RIP
MA
September 2, 2016
To family,
I send my condolences. May God give you peace as you cope with your loss.
July 4, 2016
Unreacting
The nature of a human being is to simply react, to throw back at others the medicine they mete out to you.
This is what Rava, the Babylonian Jewish sage, would advise: Ignore the urge to return bad with bad, hurt with hurt, scorn with scorn
and the heavenly court will ignore your scorning, your hurting, your acts that were less than good.
The Lord shadows man. Go beyond your nature with others and He will do the same with you.
July 4, 2016
Our condolences to you Heidi and the Toffler family. His insights and depth of understanding of our changing world have profoundly changed all our lives for the better. The school we created in his memory made his ideas live and grow in Brentwood, Long Island where the Maslow-Toffler School of Futuristic Education is alive and well in the hearts and minds of our community as it is on the web. www.maslowtoffler.com We are eternally grateful for his role in our lives and cherish his influence on several generations of our posterity. Rest in peace. John M. Sherin, M-T Co-Founder
Danielle
July 4, 2016
Take care of each other. I was in college in Atlanta when I learned of Mr. Toffler and Future Shock. He and his book had a lasting influence on society. We thank him.
July 4, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Greg Shoham
July 4, 2016
Thank you for helping prepare me for the future. Have a safe journey.
Ann D. Benjamin (fka Cabin)
July 3, 2016
Heidi, my sincere condolences. The time I worked for you and Al was the most interesting time of my life. Alvin was generous with his knowledge, his time, and his philosophy. I loved Zoltan, Karen, and both of you more than you can know. I wish you peace. Thank you.
July 2, 2016
Please accept my sympathies at the death of your loved one. Know that the God of comfort feel your pain and suffering. Isaiah 61:1,2 reads: " ... "he sent me (Jesus Christ) to bind the broken-hearted, ... To comfort all who mourns, ..."
July 2, 2016
My condolences to The Toffler Family. Grief can be so hard but the love and support of family and friends help cope. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
July 2, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family. I know his memories will forever live on in the hearts of all he has touched over the years. May you find comfort from the words at Psalms 116:15
July 2, 2016
Offering our deepest sympathies. Hoping the family finds comfort in "the God who's gives Peace".
Melodie Valley
July 1, 2016
I hope your cherished memories of Alvin will gradually replace the sadness you are undergoing.....you are in my prayers.
July 1, 2016
I learned more from FS than I did in my first two years of college...!!!
July 1, 2016
Great man!
michelle plakas-kaiser
July 1, 2016
rip
July 1, 2016
I majored in sociology and consider this a major loss personally and socially. He contributed a great deal to the world of academia. I feel for his family and wish them support. Dr. Barbara Fisher
Marci
July 1, 2016
Tom Sharp
July 1, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Victoria Morris
July 1, 2016
I am very sorry to the friends and family for the loss. My heart goes out to the friends and family. Soon there will come a time when we will never have to grieve the loss of a loved one in death ever again. Ps 37:9-11
July 1, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Toffler's family. May God grant you peace during this difficult time.2 Cor. 1:3
June 30, 2016
May family and friends keep the fond memories and good times close in their hearts. This will give you strength and endurance. More than anything you can go to the Almighty God of heaven and earth and pour out your heart. God love and care for you.
SLC
June 30, 2016
Alvin was right on time with his predictions. Just as the predictions in the bible. Amazing. (Romans 15:4)
Adrian Barnette
June 30, 2016
We'll miss you !
Andrea
June 30, 2016
I am so very sorry for your loss, please accept my heartfelt sympathies and condolences , may the peace that surpasses all understanding helps as you mourn for your loss.
McGhee
June 30, 2016
My sincere condolences to the Toffler family. May God provide you with strength to endure the days ahead.
Harry Simpson
June 30, 2016
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Godspeed.
Scott Chamberland
June 30, 2016
Rest in Peace
June 30, 2016
Please accept my sympathies at the death of your loved one. Know that the God of comfort feel your pain and suffering. Isaiah 61:1,2 reads: "He sent me (Jesus Christ) to bind the brokenhearted ... He will comfort all who mourn, ..."
Pam
June 30, 2016
May the God of Comfort help you cope during this difficult time .
Aurelio Sanchez
June 30, 2016
I read Alvin Toffler books in the early 1990's. The books helped me develop visionary thinking and has helped me in all my life. Thank you and RIP.
June 30, 2016
Beloveds, truly saddened to hear about Alvin Toffler's passing. His fine legacy will surely be remembered. May the God of all comfort be with you . . .
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