Allen Spitzer could well be said to be the father of the anthropology program at Saint Louis University.  In 1954 he arrived at SLU as assistant professor of sociology and consultant in anthropology to the Human Relations Center for Training and Research.  By 1962 he had become the first full professor of anthropology at the school.  The development of the study of anthropology at the University mirrored Spitzer's own ascent.  In 1958 the department of sociology was renamed the department of sociology and anthropology, with Spitzer in charge of the sociological aspects of the discipline.  (Another professor handled the archaeological angle.)  That same year the first degrees in anthropology were granted, and in 1962, almost in honor of Spitzer's full professorship, the Ph.D. in sociology was unveiled.  Saint Louis University thus became the first Catholic school in the country to offer the full sequence of study in anthropology.

Spitzer was greatly influenced by the theories of anthropologist Robert Redfield, whom he described as his "advisor in research."  He himself stood in somewhat the same mentor-like relationship to many of his students, who became lifelong friends of their former professor.  He explained part of the reason for this when he said, "My whole heart and soul is in the classroom, and my writing is incidental to the teaching."  Lillian Spitzer, a trained social worker and often her husband's research assistant, shared his interest in people and his lively concern for their welfare.  When Allen died suddenly in 1967, Lillian took his place before his classes as lecturer in anthropology.

Allen Spitzer generously shared with his students the academic insight that his many research trips around the world afforded him, and happily offered them the benefit of the wisdom he had accumulated in a lifetime of cosmopolitan experience.  His life and work are commemorated by Lillian's gift to the University Archives of her husband's personal papers, which include mementos of his many travels.  Come circumnavigate the globe with Allen, who made friends everywhere he went.

Christine Harper
November 2002