This page is dedicated to our dearly departed colleagues and friends, whose hard work and commitment to the study of Africa contributed significantly to the production and exchange of knowledge on Africa. The tireless work of these individuals has profoundly impacted and changed narratives about Africa and Africans for the better, which in turn has changed attitudes and approaches toward studying and engaging the continent. We honor and thank them for their hard work.
If you would like to submit an obituary or tribute please click here.
Please note that entries will be accepted and posted on a rolling basis, and need not be for recent deaths. Submissions will be accepted for any individual acknowledged to have made a positive contribution to the study of Africa as a scholar, practitioner, artist, politician, peace maker, etc.
Gerald Bender served as President of the ASA from 1986 to 1987.
Jan Vansina, a pioneering historian whose vast corpus of work transformed our understanding of African history—and the history of many other areas—died on February 8, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 87.
Isidore Okpewho passed away on September 4, 2016. He was 74 years old.
Alain Ricard passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2016. He was a dear friend a colleague who will be missed by everyone who had the honor of sharing his passion for ideas, travel, friendship, Africa, literature, theater and so much more.
Sam Moyo passed away on November 21, 2015, following a car accident in New Delhi, India.
Professor Stephen Ellis passed away on July 29, 2015.
