Howard F. Didsbury Jr.

The World Future Society was saddened to learn last week of the death of our longtime volunteer and consultant, Howard F. Didsbury Jr. He died of pneumonia, following a long illness, on March 17, 2012. He was 87.

Howard F. Didsbury Jr. (July 15, 1924 - March 17, 2012)

A native of Detroit, Howard earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy and government from Yale University, a master's degree in history from Harvard University, and a PhD in history and philosophy from American University in Washington, D.C.

After receiving his doctorate, Howard served as education officer at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., from 1952 to 1954. He then taught at the Longfellow School for Boys in Washington, D.C., from 1954 to 1960.

He completed his educational career as a professor of history emeritus at Kean College of New Jersey.

Howard Didsbury is probably best known among longtime World Future Society members as one of the instructors of the Society's popular preconference course, "An Introduction to the Study of the Future." He also served as editor of many of the conference volumes, using his enormously energetic networking skills to collect essays from leading futurists around the world.

Howard was devoted to the connection between history and the future that ran through education and learning. Among his many outstanding efforts as Director of Special Projects was the comprehensive Prep 21 anthology of futures studies curricula.

“Howard will be greatly missed in the foresight community," said World Future Society President Timothy C. Mack. "His long-term service to the Society and other organizations such as the Club of Rome was exemplary and tireless. The enthusiasm he demonstrated in inspiring young people to understand their own potential both in the classroom and at a wide range of public events was a labor of love.

Links:
An article about Howard that appeared in a Kean College publication in 2005 may be viewed here.

Friends of Howard Didsbury Facebook group

A tribute page has been posted here.

Obituary published March 29 in the New Jersey Star-Ledger.