Michael M. Sokal

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davidrobinson19732

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Jan 6, 2026, 10:32:21 AMJan 6
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The Sokal family contacted Leila Zenderland to tell her that Michael M. Sokal (80) passed away peacefully at home on December 18; she asked me to pass the word to others. Mike had serious health issues for quite a long time and was incapacitated these past few months.

Mike Sokal was one of the founding members of Cheiron in 1968-69; he appears in that famous photo as a young grad student who looks like a teenager. He was the founding editor of the journal, History of Psychology (published by Division 26 of APA), the first Executive Secretary (and later president) of the History of Science Society (HSS), and  a fellow of the AAAS; for a while he program officer for the NSF and the NEH, and the list goes on. In short, he was a creative force in nearly every organization connected to our field of study.

The funeral will be held on January 13th in Worcester, MA.  A full obituary might take some time to compose.

David K. Robinson, Professor of History emeritus
Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri
Past-Executive Officer, Cheiron (International Society for History of Behavioral & Social Sciences)
History of Psychology Editor, American Journal of Psychology (AJP)

John Carson

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Jan 6, 2026, 12:21:50 PMJan 6
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Such sad, sad news.  Mike was a wonderful guy who tried to see the best in everyone and showed real enthusiasm for a vast array of intellectual projects.  His scholarship on Cattell remains important and his work as an indefatigable organizer was critical not only to establishing history of the social/behavioral/human sciences as a legitimate scholarly pursuit but really to the whole field of the history of science.  His warm smile and presence will be deeply missed.

john


John Carson
he/him/his
Associate Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies, UM-STS Program
Department of History | University of Michigan
1029 Tisch Hall | 435 S State St | Ann Arbor, MI | 48109-1003
Phone:  734-647-7378 | Email: jsca...@umich.edu


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Phyllis Wentworth

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Jan 6, 2026, 6:47:07 PMJan 6
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Yes, as I read this news I was remembering Mike's warmth, too. In my experience he personified the Cheironian spirit of high standards, coupled with generosity. Deb Coon kindly introduced me to him when I was a graduate student at UNH, and from that point on, I could walk into a conference space and know that Mike would widen his circle for me and others, regardless of where we were in our programs / careers. 

in gratitude, 
Phyllis Wentworth

Morris, Edward K.

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Jan 6, 2026, 7:30:34 PMJan 6
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While eating lunch alone in the college cafeteria at my first Cheiron meeting circa 1990, Mike Sokal — I did not know who he was at the time — sat down next to me, engaged me, and inquired about my interests. I said "the history of behaviorism," adding that I might be the only avowed radical behaviorist in Cheiron. Mike offered wise counsel: My ism was irrelevant as long as I took history seriously. That was Mike Sokal. That was Cheiron. Thank you. 



From: cheiro...@googlegroups.com <cheiro...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of John Carson <jsca...@umich.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 11:21 AM
To: Cheiron list-serve <cheiro...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Cheiron-Forum:3219] Michael M. Sokal

James Capshew

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Jan 7, 2026, 11:57:07 AMJan 7
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I corresponded with Mike Sokal in November 1979, when I was preparing my first publication, on the history of psychology at Indiana University (see Capshew & Hearst, 1980). He was able to answer my query authoritatively. In the spring of 1980, I phoned him for advice on what graduate program to attend with my NSF Graduate Fellowship. He strongly encouraged me to join the Department of History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania, which I did (see Capshew, 2022). Mike also suggested that I attend the upcoming meeting of the Cheiron Society, at Bowdoin College. In June, I traveled to Brunswick, Maine and met Mike in person, as well as others who would become important colleagues. As my first mentor in the history of psychology. Mike lavished care on my professional formation. He also became a dear friend along with his partner Charlene. Mike's unmatched combination of relentless cheerfulness, astute judgment of people and situations, and a tenacious motivation to serve others was a hallmark of his professional career. After 45 years of friendship, I can look back with wonderment and appreciation of his fruitful life and gratitude that we walked together in the sun.

Jim Capshew

Christopher Green

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Jan 7, 2026, 2:11:59 PMJan 7
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I was uncertain of what words might capture Mike's unique personality. But I think James got it exactly right: "Mike's unmatched combination of relentless cheerfulness, astute judgment of people and situations, and a tenacious motivation to serve others was a hallmark of his professional career."

I, too, will miss him.

Chris
...........................................
Christopher Green
Professor Emeritus 
Department of Psychology
York University
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Canada


Katharine Milar

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Jan 7, 2026, 2:34:40 PMJan 7
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Perfect!  Thank you.
K

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On Jan 7, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Christopher Green <chr...@yorku.ca> wrote:


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Sokal, Michael M

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Jan 8, 2026, 1:35:38 PM (13 days ago) Jan 8
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Thanks, Jim. We met when you were a grad student. I appreciate all the kind words from decades of Cheiron people.

I am Mike’s daughter, Kate. His WPI email will go away, but anyone is welcome to contact our family at pengui...@gmail.com. I have written an obituary and all are welcome at the service in Worcester, MA on Tuesday Jan 13.

— Kate (Sokal) Groves

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On Jan 7, 2026, at 11:57 AM, James Capshew <jcap...@gmail.com> wrote:


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