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Michael Pearlman Obituary
Pearlman was born on May 21, 1944 in Chicago, where he grew up and graduated from South Shore High School. He went on to earn his BA from Wichita State University, his MA from the University of Chicago, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, all in history.
He taught history at universities in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska before becoming a professor of history at U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he worked from 1986 to 2006.
A specialist of the history of American military policy and strategy, Pearlman was the author of three books: To Make Democracy Safe for America: Patricians and Preparedness in the Progressive Era (University of Illinois Press, 1984), Warmaking and American Democracy: The Struggle over Military Strategy, 1700 to the Present (University Press of Kansas, 1999), and Truman & MacArthur: Policy, Politics, and the Hunger for Honor and Renown (Indiana University Press, 2008). He had begun a fourth book manuscript on the politics of American nuclear weapons policy.
Pearlman was an avid tennis player and sports fan. He had a love of Irish folk music, a knack for wit, and an uncanny memory for political and athletic trivia. Though a Chicago South Sider at heart, he cherished the community he found on the east side of Lawrence, where he left behind an enormous collection of books and some of the best neighbors for which one could hope.
Pearlman's wife Lois died in Lawrence in 1996. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Pearlman (Laguna Woods, CA), his sister Judith Schwab (Chicago, IL), and three children, Alicia (New York, NY), Wendy (Chicago, IL), and Charles (Portland, OR).
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Pearlman
Elizabeth Herman
May 14, 2025
Michael was my first cousin. He used to argue with my father about politics, sports, and personal topics. I remember him and his wife Lois fondly.
Bud meador
August 17, 2024
Personally, a charming Hail Fellow Well Met. Intellectually, he was as tough as they come. Knowing & working him was a both a pleasure & continual education. His passing was a loss for those who knew him and regarded him with affection. May his memory be a blessing to all his friends and family, as it surely is for me. Semper Fidelis!
Douglas Gorin
September 1, 2017
An old friend and always a real character. Looked
forward to his yearly visits to Chicago. He will be
missed by his softball buddies. Doug Gorin
Eric Price
August 28, 2017
May you rest in peace, Mike. You were an incredible teacher and mentor and I am certainly a better person for having known you. I am glad that I was lucky enough to see occasionally at events at KU all these years after being your student in 2001. And though you always joked that I should not "blame" you for helping me get into the history program at KU, I have and will always hold you in the highest esteem.
Theresa Schmidt
August 24, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Charley and your family. Our hearts go out to all of you and we wish you peace. Theresa, Eric, Jesse, Sean & Lilly
Clay Edwards
August 24, 2017
I am very sorry to hear of this. I had not heard from Mike in a long while, but I hope his final years and days were still as rewarding as when he was with us teaching. I will remember him best, feet up, reading a thick book, with his headphones on. No music, just noise auppressors. My years with Mike were shared with Truman and MacArthur. What insights. Thanks, Mike. As Bud says, we miss you.
August 23, 2017
God speed you, Mike, to the grounds of eternal rest and reflection. You were a tremendous influence on so many young officers, and the nation owes you a debt of gratitude for being just who you are. You are missed already. See you on the other side of the river. Semper Fi! Bud Meador
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