Deceased February 13, 2011
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In Memory
Alan died peacefully from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which he had for several years. He was a scholar of the history of religions and was the Ingeborg Rennert Chair in Jewish Studies at Barnard College. He was the author of many books and articles that were scholarly in intent but nonetheless attracted a broad readership. His particular interests were the relationship between rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, which he viewed as sibling developments from the same biblical tradition, as well as the life of Paul. His magisterial study Life after Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion has become the seminal text on this field.
Alan received master’s degrees from Hebrew Union College and Brandeis University and a doctoral degree from Yale. At Amherst he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He served as president and board member for many professional societies and was the recipient of many honors, lectureships and grants.
Alan was born in Worcester, Mass., to Rose (Sadowsky) and Bennet Segal. He is survived by his wife, Meryl; sons Ethan ’99 (Kelly) and Jordan ’02 (Abbey); brother Eric ’71; and sister Carol Foxman. The Segal family has deep ties to the College including uncles Robert’36, Edward ’39 and Irving’42; cousin Terry ’64, nieces Jessica ’95 and Nicole Huvelle ’01; and nephew Adam ’03.
In the early 1980s the Segal family established the Segal family scholarship for residents of Israel and the Worcester region.
Alan also will be remembered for his kindness, humor and abiding friendships. His memory will be a blessing to all who knew him.
Terry Segal ’64
Michael Boxer ’67
Sumner Segal
Meryl Segal