Sanford Allan Lakoff

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Miller Lakoff, his brother George Lakoff (and Kathleen Frumkin), his nephew Andrew Lakoff (and Daniela Bleichmar), and his grand-nieces Natalia Lakoff and Paloma Lakoff.

Sandy had a rich and fulfilling life. He was a proud graduate of the Bayonne public schools, Brandeis University and Harvard University, where he was also a junior faculty member. After professorships at Stonybrook University and the University of Toronto, he was founding chair of the Department of Political Science at UC San Diego, which rapidly ascended to become one of the premier departments in the country.

He was the author of a wide range of books, articles and essays in political thought, and received numerous fellowships for his scholarship, including from the Social Science Research Council, the Woodrow Wilson International Center, and the National Humanities Center. He also received many awards for his distinguished teaching and service, including the Revelle Medal at UCSD and the Constantine Panunzio Award from the University of California.

Sandy was widely admired not only for his erudition and his astute commentary on contemporary politics, but also for his wry sense of humor and his extensive collection of anecdotes, always appropriate to the occasion. He was a devoted husband, a fiercely loyal brother, and he fostered long-lasting connections with friends around the world. He also took on responsibility for caring for loved ones in need.

Sandy remained dedicated to teaching and service, and to engagement in political debate, to the end of his life. He drew crowds for his lectures to the UCSD Emeriti association and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He endowed the Department of Political Science’s Sanford Lakoff Award for the Most Outstanding Senior Thesis—and up to age 92, he continued to read and evaluate the nominated works.

For those who wish to honor Sandy's memory, the family asks that donations be made in his name to either the San Diego Early Music Society or the San Diego Jewish Federation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.merkleymitchell.com for the Lakoff family.