Obituary of Herbert E. Striner

Herbert E. Striner, Ph.D., noted economist, educator and author (92) passed away peacefully on August 7, 2015 after a courageous battle with cardiovascular disease. A son of Russian immigrants, Herbert Edward Striner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 16, 1922. During World War II, he served as First Lieutenant, in Infantry in the China-Burma-India Theater Operations. He received a Bachelor's Degree in 1947 and master's degree in 1948, both in economics, from Rutgers University in New Jersey. After being named a Fellow in Economics at the Maxwell School, he went on to earn a Doctorate in Economics at Syracuse University in 1951 (under the tutelage of economist and economic historian Broadus Mitchell). That year, he moved to the Washington area to work as an Economist for the United States Department of Interior, where he was a principal negotiator on tariff negotiations with Venezuela. He subsequently worked as a Program Director for the National Science Foundation and the National Planning Association. He was a senior analyst with the Johns Hopkins University's Operations Research Office in Bethesda, Md., from 1957 to 1959, followed by brief stints at the Brookings Institution and Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International). In the 1960's, he was an Adviser on employment and training for the administrations of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He served on President Kennedy's Cabinet Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and President Johnson's task force on the American Indian. Dr. Striner served as the of Dean of the College of Continuing Education (now the School of Professional and Extended Studies) at American University from 1969 to 1973. He later served as Dean of the College of Business Administration (now the Kogod School of Business) at American University from 1975 to 1981. During his tenure at the business school, he added eight Masters of Science programs and expanded the university's business administration curriculum. He also taught graduate business and economics at American University from 1982 to 1989 and he continued lecturing at various schools and institutions until the early 2000s. Dr. Striner was an intellectual free-thinker who loved the human family and made countless contributions to enhance the human condition. His life is reflective of the Anglicized passage from the Hebrew evening Sabbath service that he and his family spoke aloud many times in synagogue: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart. Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt speak of them when thou sittest in thy house, when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up … Thou shalt write them upon the doorpost of thy house, and upon thy gates: That ye may remember ". Dr. Striner loved people and he was known for his exceptional leadership qualities. Throughout his professional career as an educator, he mentored students and faculty alike, and he cultivated the careers of many professionals. He gave unselfishly of himself and he leaves behind a legacy of activism and a lifelong passion for mankind. Dr. Striner was a man who added grace to the world. He was humble and had an innate quality to relate to anyone in his presence and any communication with him was thought-provoking, uplifting and inspiring to say the least. His literary legacy included five published books, more than 90 articles, and many guest appearances on public affairs and news programs. Dr. Striner loved the camera and had an extraordinary gift for photography. His first camera was his "confidante" that accompanied him on personal and professional travels depicting the people he met and places visited. This love eventually led to his photography being featured in many exhibits and publications. A "Collection of the Photographic Material and Other Art Work of Dr. Herbert E. Striner" can be viewed on the Digital Research Archive of American University at www.digitalarchive.org. Dr. Striner is survived by his loving wife Iona V. Striner; son Richard Striner and Daughter Deborah Hartten; and other relatives and beloved friends. The world is a better place because he was here!