Professor Emeritus Lew Ellenhorn
From Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley
April 15, 2015
Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that I share with you the news that Professor Emeritus of Psychology Lew Ellenhorn passed away on April 12 from heart failure.
Professor Ellenhorn was one of Pitzer’s earliest faculty members, joining the College in 1966 after teaching organizational/industrial psychology, group dynamics and social psychology at UCLA, where he also received his PhD in social psychology. Lew believed in the musicality of human interaction, using the structure and perspective of music to help understand organizations and he was instrumental in forming Pitzer’s Organizational Studies field group, setting the stage for decades of innovative teaching and learning that followed his retirement in 1990.
He was an early supporter of Pitzer’s New Resources program, continuing to work with New Resources students as an emeritus professor, and he continued his engagement with Pitzer’s alumni by regularly participating in Alumni Weekend events throughout his retirement.
In addition to the profound impact he had on his students in the classroom, Lew was also a talented and accomplished musician. He performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and recorded with luminaries such as Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Martin. Closer to home, many remember Lew for generously sharing his talent and love of music by performing annually for his Pitzer colleagues and students at faculty dinners and senior graduation parties.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 25 at 4 p.m. at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont. All are welcome to attend.
Lew is survived by his wife Barbara and their children Ted, Ross and Maureen and five grandsons. I know you will join me in sending our deepest condolences to Barbara and all of Professor Ellenhorn’s family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Laura Skandera Trombley
President
