Neil J. Salkind, 70, passed away from complications related to melanoma on Saturday at his home in Lawrence. The son of Harry and Irene Salkind, he was born in Newark, N.J., where he grew up and attended Weequahic High School.
He received his Ph.D. in human development from the University of Maryland, and after teaching for 35 years at the University of Kansas became a professor emeritus. After retiring he continued to collaborate with colleagues and mentor students.
Neil was a prolific writer and editor. He delivered more than 150 professional papers and presentations; wrote more than 100 trade and textbooks; edited several encyclopedias; was editor of Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography for 13 years; and aided many other writers in their search for publishers. He had at least three of his letters to the editor of the New York Times published, an accomplishment of which he was exceedingly proud.
Neil enjoyed letterpress printing, reading, running with the Mad Dogs and later swimming with the Lawrence River City Sharks, baking brownies, poking around old Volvos, and being with his family and friends. He volunteered with numerous local charitable organizations and served on a number of nonprofit boards.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Lawrence Jewish Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Willow Domestic Violence Center, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and the Lawrence Jewish Community Center in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.
Neil is survived by his wife, Leni; daughter, Sara, of Alexandria, VA; son Micah and son-in-law Ted, of Providence, RI; sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Seymour, of Dallas, TX; his sister-in-law Suara Welitoff, of Cambridge, MA; nephews, nieces, countless friends, mentees, associates, and his beloved golden doodle, Bella. His boundless energy and curiosity will be missed. So will his brownies and challah
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thank you Dr. Salkind. I was still able to learn from you even though you are gone from one of your videos. You made statistics interesting and applicable to my life.
Sean Spruiells
Other
December 3, 2022
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Salkind's passing. His wonderful Book on Statistics opened my eyes and mind to the world of statics in such a simplistic way...I learned a lot....Though I never met him, His book made me feel as though I new him! Our thoughts and prayer go out to his whole family! May the good Lord bless all of you. Mark and Eun Mi Campbell
Mark Campbell
Student
October 31, 2018
Neil was a wonderful guy and was greatly responsible for the success of our writing business. He was always there for us anytime we had difficulties with editors or publishers and his encouragement was a great support for us many times. He will be sorely missed!
Mitch and Ingrid Tulloch
December 10, 2017
Dear Leni,
We are so saddened to learn of Neil's passing. It was such a joy to share an evening with you when you were in Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate your 70th birthdays. We are glad to have played a small part in that celebration of your life together. I was happy to once again be in Neil's presence after such a long time. I was warmed by his wit and your loving banter back and forth. It brought me back to our time together in the early 1980s. I have always thought of you as one of the great couples with your obvious affection and admiration for each other. Flashback to Thanksgiving 1980 when you graciously shared your holiday dinner with me, my first holiday away from my loving family. I have thought of you fondly every Thanksgiving since then. I wish many blessings on you and your children as you grieve Neil's passing. I wish for you the love and comfort of family and friends, sweet memories, and visits from him in your dreams.
With love,
Angi and Rick
Angi Curreri & Rick Yasko
December 5, 2017
Leni and Family; Kathy and I have known you and Neil since our college days. We are sorry for the loss of Neil, but we all know that he continued doing the things that brought him the most pleasure during his battle with cancer. He will be missed by all. You must be proud of all the accomplishments he made during his lifetime. I enjoyed swimming with him at the University of Maryland, and at the 2014 National Masters. Kathy and I were glad to spend time with you and Neil at your home, during a trip we made out west. We wish you and your family the best, and we know you will continue to move forward with support from your relatives and friends. Until we meet again, Bruce and Kathy Phillips
Bruce & Kathy Phillips
Friend
December 1, 2017
As a former member of the Maryland Swim Team, It was my privilege to know Neil as a friend and teammate. In addition, my wife had several classes with Neil as she had the same major at Maryland. We always knew Neil as a genuine, thoughtful person. We recently reconnected at a team reunion. It was no surprise, to us, to learn of his many accomplishments in the academic world. You always knew Neil would achieve great things!
Edi and I extend our deepest sympathies to Neils family. We will miss him.
Joe & Edi Reid
Friend
November 29, 2017
Leni and Family, I hope you all open the emails that came pouring in from Neil's Maryland swimming buddies. As best I can tell, he was the most accomplished alumnae in our group and undoubtedly, the most decent.
Jim McCaslin
Classmate
November 27, 2017
Neil ,AKA, Bush Was not only a teammate of mine on the Maryland swimming team but also a fraternity brother in TEP. I will miss him since he always made me smile and since we were the two greatest Jewish swimmers in the history of the University of Maryland .
Burt JET Bondy
Burt Bondy
Classmate
November 27, 2017
Leni and family, I just saw this. I am very sorry for your loss.
Debbie Liddel
November 25, 2017
So sorry to hear. I feel so lucky to have known Neil and that I was able to see him two weeks ago. Leni my best to you and the family.
Mike Vickers
November 22, 2017
Leni and family, I just hear about Neil. Words can't express how sorry I am. Please accept my condolences.
Cathy Shenoy
November 22, 2017
Salkind family-
I'm sending prayers that your many memories with your husband/dad will bring you smiles in the years to come. I remember my interactions with him when Sara was applying to and at Smith--and have loved the opportunity to read so much about him and how he influenced so many through Sara's Facebook posts over the years. May his memory be a blessing.
karen glickstein
November 22, 2017
Dear Leni, I am so sorry for your loss. I was saddened to hear of Neil's death. It was always a pleasure when I would see Neil and you. He will be dearly missed. You are in my thoughts, sending love to you and your family.
Laurie Culling
November 22, 2017
Leni, please accept my condolences for your loss.
Kerry Altenbernd
November 20, 2017
I swam with the Masters swimmers for well over a decade. Neil was the motivator who was always there, always smiling, always fast. Neil always had something good to say even at 5am.
We will all miss Neil and his positive influence. Lawrence will never be quite the same.
My heartfelt prayers are for the entire family. We love you.
Ron Helmick
Ron Helmick
November 20, 2017
Dearest Leni,
We will miss Neil so. He was a truly a great man in everyway. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
Margaret & Jonathan Morris
November 20, 2017
Leni,Sara, Micah -
There are no words to express our sorrow for this great loss. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you. We loved Neil and love you all.
Chris, John and Stephen
November 20, 2017
To Neil's family, I'm very sorry for your great loss. May your faith and treasured memories bring you comfort.
November 20, 2017
Dear Leni, Micah, and Sara, I am so sorry to hear of Neil's death. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I will remember Neil's cheerful, gentle spirit with a smile.
Beverly Mack
November 20, 2017
Dear Leni,
Our families hearts are broken asunder.
Your loss is ours.
Last nights sleep was punctuated with Neil and now I know why.
Love,
Dave, Susan and Josh Millstein
Dave Millstein
November 19, 2017
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
Funeral services provided by:
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more