From: James <jtrumpb@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: A Good Man and a Good Friend...
Martin Diskin, a Professor of Anthropology at MIT who did important
work with movements for social justice, in El Salvador in particular,
has died, sadly, at the age of 62 after a long struggle with
leukemia.
He had been undergoing treatment and died of heart failure at
Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass. on Saturday night, Aug 2.
I especially admire and appreciate Martin for his important work
on behalf of Lori Berenson, imprisoned in Peru, who was his student
at MIT and for whom he had been an important mentor.
Lori's father, Mark, has told me how deeply saddened she will be to
learn of his death and to not have had a chance to see him again.
Professor Diskin was working on a book about land reform in
El Salvador at the time of his death. The book was evidently
nearing completion and will most likely be prepared for publication
by one of Martin's colleagues, Jeff Spence.
Martin Diskin was a good man who set an example of very high
standards in his intellectual work in understanding and supporting
movements for social justice and reform, and I dare say, revolution --
especially in Central America.
His passing is a loss, and he will be sorely missed.
A Memorial Service is planned for Sunday, August 24 at Noon at
the "Chapel" at MIT, opposite Kresge Auditorium at Mass. Ave. in
Cambridge.
Condolences and expressions of support may be sent to Martin's
wife, Vilunya, and their family, at their home:
26 Blossom Street
Lexington, Mass. 02173
[For anyone interested, there is an obituary in the Boston Globe
of today, Wednesday, August 6, 1997.]
Rest in Peace.
venceremos!
James (c/o John)