Henry W. Riecken Jr. (1917–2012).

Abstract

Presents an obituary for Henry (Hank) W. Riecken Jr. In 1950, Riecken received his doctorate from Harvard University, having studied in the Department of Social Relations, which enjoyed a well-known relationship with the Department of Psychology. A thought leader, and a follower and booster of interesting thoughts (more prescience), Riecken was the first director of the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) Office of Social Sciences (later called a division) in 1959. As vice president and then president of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) from 1966 to 1971, Hank led the development of the first state-of-the-art monograph on randomized controlled trials in the United States. Riecken was a member of the first Director's Advisory Committee at the National Institutes of Health. He became a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Board on Medicine in 1969 (one of two social scientists) and, as a founding member, assisted in the challenging effort to create the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1971. Hank is survived by his children Gilson, Susan, and Anne. He talked about them often, gently, and proudly and clearly loved them. The current Riecken Foundation, whose mission aims at substantial enhancements to libraries in Guatemala, is a testimony to Riecken's beneficence and to the intellectually generous spirit of him and his family.