It is with deep sorrow and profound distress that officers of Demokritos Society of America announce the passing in Santa Monica CA, on May 31, 2008 and at age 74, of a distinguished American and a invaluable member of the organization's Advisory Board, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Northwestern University in Evanston Ill., Charles C. Moskos. He taught Sociology at Northwestern University from 1996 until two years ago, when a diagnosis of cancer forced him to drop his classes. Professor Moskos was a top expert in military sociology in the United States, had a long and productive career, received a large number of awards and distinctions, medals and research grants, and authored a large number of fine publications. His 27-page curriculum vitae tells only part of his story. Professor Moskos was highly respected as a guru for his work on America's military and received its Distinguished Service Award, the highest for a civilian. For his invaluable work, he traveled extensively to several foreign countries.
Thus, Charles Moskos was America's top sociologist who studied extensively the American military. He will be specifically remembered for his role in developing the "don’t ask/don’t tell" compromise phrase during the stormy battles about gays in the military. In addition to scholarly articles, he published editorials in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune and appeared on national television numerous times.
He also wrote about the Greek-Americans, about whom he was uncompromising in his views pertaining to their charisma for ingenuity and hard work in the United States. His remarkable book, Greek Americans: Struggle and Success (Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1980), was later republished in a second edition, (New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction, 1989). He also published, as editor with an introduction, [with Dr. Dan Georgakas], the New Directions in Greek American Studies (N.Y.: Pella, 1991).
His wife of 41 years, Ilca Hohn Moskos described in an e-mail that ''Charles C. Moskos… died peacefully in his sleep after a valiant struggle with cancer." Funeral services will take place in Chicago. On behalf of the members of the Think Tank, Demokritos Society of America, officers of the board wish to extend their deep sympathies and condolences to his wife, his children and his family.
Professor Charles C. Moskos will be greatly missed. He was a man for all seasons. His memory will be eternal.
Michael C. Geokas, M.D.,Ph.D.Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Davis, President of Demokritos Society of America; Hon. Nicholas C. Petris, Esq., former California State Senator, First Vice President; Christos D. Katsetos, M. D., Ph.D., Professor of Neuropathology at Drexel University, Second Vice President. Demokritos Society of America (DSA) is a Think-Tank of University Professors, Graduate Students, Professionals, prominent Executives and Researchers in the United States and Canada. We work in support of Human Rights, the Rule of Law, the Democratic Imperative, and the respect for International Treaties. For more information, see http://www.demokritos.org
