Howard D. Abramowitz
Howard Abramowitz, associate professor of sociology, died April 9, 1990.
A member of the Skidmore faculty since 1964, Howard taught courses that reflected his commitment to the underdog. “All of his life,” recalled Dean of the Faculty Eric Weller, “Howie was on the side of the little people, those who lived in poverty, those who suffered from humiliation and the psychological scar of prejudice, those whose labor was exploited, those in general who lacked access to the corridors of power in society and those who always came out on the short end of the stick.”
His commitment to human rights and civil liberties was emphasized again and again as colleagues from his department and other members of the college community delivered their tributes and recounted humorous anecdotes. Recalling his foibles as well as his virtues, many speakers made fond stabs at his disregard for office orderliness and deadlines. Yet, as department chair Bill Fox remarked,” Howard was committed to reason; he was logical in argument, committed not only to principle but to rational discourse. . . . Howie provided a conscience for our department, reminding us of principle when we were too quick to yield to expediency.”
“During his last few months, as Howard faced his illness,” said his colleague Susan Bender, “I came to know yet another facet of his character. I saw a man of extraordinary courage and integrity face the end of his life with good will, grace and love. . . . I saw him as a model for the kind of person I want to be when faced by life’s extremely difficult circumstances.”