Edward A. Tiryakian ’52

Ed, a devoted member of the class, frequently at Reunions, and member of the class executive committee, died Feb. 1, 2025.

A sociology major, he joined Court Club and roomed with David Siegel, J. Marshall Osborn, and James Kritzeck ’54. He went on to get a Ph.D. in sociology at Harvard. Ed taught in the department at Princeton for several years, then several years at Harvard, before joining the sociology department at Duke for the rest of his career.

Ed’s research dwelt on the theory of societal change, sociology of religion, and of development. His research took him to many countries — including lower Africa, Cameroon, and Kosovo.

Ed is survived by sons Edmund ’78 and Edwyn and his wife, Josefina, whom many of us have met at Reunions. The class sends a blessing to them, with good memories of Ed.