In Memoriam: Daniel Offer, 1929–2013

Abstract

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel Offer, M. D., on May 13, 2013. Dan was the founding editor of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and served 35 years as its Editor-in-Chief. After his retirement from active editing and his professorship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, he continued to serve as editor emeritus to the journal and helped it continue to flourish. No one will ever be as important to the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and few have had such a strong mark on the empirical understanding of adolescence. He was a truly gigantic force in adolescent psychiatry, one that transformed prevailing views of normal adolescence and the transition out of it. His many articles and books have become classics. Dan’s scholarly contributions have been recognized widely, particularly by developmentalists. In 2006, for example, a group of colleagues held a festschrift in his honor (see Levesque 2007, 2008). That gathering led to several articles exemplifying the breadth and depth of Dan’s influence. Among those articles were three editorials focusing directly on Dan. One briefly reviewed his academic contributions and influence on the study of adolescence (Levesque 2007). Another, by his wife who also happened to be his research collaborator, engagingly described Dan’s childhood, eventual successes and many accomplishments (Offer, M. K. 2007). The third, by Dan himself, provided a reflection on his academic journey and took the opportunity to provide lessons he had learned (Offer, D. 2007). Those pieces, particularly the latter two, eloquently stand as wonderful tributes to Dan, as they describe so well who he was, what he stood for, and what he cherished. The brief editorials reveal why many have said that Dan had an incredible life and that he appreciated every moment. The editorials also confirm the striking aptness of a quotation, displayed at his memorial service, for describing Dan’s approach to life: ‘‘Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...Holy cow....what a ride!!!!’’