In Memoriam — Joyce Kallgren

August 12, 2013

Joyce Kislitzin Kallgren, who previously held positions as Editor of Asian Survey, Chair of the Center for Chinese Studies, and Associate Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies, passed away on August 3, 2013.

Born April 17, 1930 in San Francisco to Alexander and Dorothea (Willett) Kislitzin, Joyce attended St. Brigid School and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, where she was a top debater, filled several campus leadership positions, co-chaired a Model UN Conference, earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and met her future husband, not necessarily in that order. She earned her PhD at Harvard in Chinese studies and subsequently became Professor of Political Science at UC Davis. She also remained active at UC Berkeley, however, where she chaired the Center for Chinese Studies from 1983 to 1988, and was subsequently Associate Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies. A frequent lecturer and author or editor of numerous books and articles on Chinese and East Asian politics, she was also former editor of the Journal of Asian Studies. Although her original research focus was on family and welfare issues, she traveled frequently to China and had a keen interest in all aspects of East Asian affairs. Her last research topic as visiting scholar at the IEAS (through 2011) was "Consequences of Globalization in the Asian Pacific Region and the Role of Nongovernmental Organizations in China." She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ed Kallgren, and by two children and four grandchildren. A true friend and pioneer of Asian studies, we will miss her.

A celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Please email Cathy Lenfestey (lenfestey@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)) for details about the event.