Roland L. Warren

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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Roland L. Warren passed away on February 14, 2010, after a long and productive life.

He is survived by his son, David Warren (of Forbes Park, Colorado); daughter, Robin Warren (of Merrimack, N.H.); grandson, Michael Warren and great-grandchildren, Leila and Wynn Warren (all of Larchmont, N.Y.).

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret and his daughter, Ursula Warren.

He was born in Islip, N.Y. on June 24, 1915, the son of Ruy W. and Jennie Simonds Warren. He grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., earned his undergraduate degree from NYU and his Ph.D. in Economics from Heidelberg University in Germany. There he met Margaret Armstrong Hodges, and they married in 1938.

During World War II Roland served on aircraft carriers in both Atlantic and Pacific theatres. After the war he resumed his academic career, at Alfred University, the Russell Sage Foundation, and Brandeis University, from which he retired in 1979.

He published many scholarly books and scores of articles in learned journals.

In 1982 he was honored by the American Sociological Association “for outstanding academic achievements and inspiring contributions to the study of Community.”

A Quaker, he served as the American Friends Service Committee’s Quaker International Affairs Representative from 1962 to 1964 in Berlin, at the time the focus of the Cold War, working to promote a less hostile climate.

His AFSC activities included leading and participating in peace missions to East Germany, North Korea, South Korea, and Nicaragua; directing international student and diplomats conferences, and serving on the AFSC Board of Directors. He and his family were among the founding members of Alfred Friends Meeting (Quakers).

The Warrens returned to the Alfred area in 1980, and then to southern New Hampshire in 2000. During these years, Roland turned to historical research, creative writing, and music composition.

He led a full and enriched life during which he brought his considerable intellect to bear on a wide variety of topics. He was an intellectual, a gentleman, a devoted husband, and a true Renaissance man.

A Memorial Gathering is planned for Tuesday, March 9, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 58 Lowell Street, in Nashua, New Hampshire. A longer obituary, online guest book, and updated Memorial information are available at www.csnh.com. In place of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your charity of choice or to your local hospice organization.