Roy A. Rappaport was born in New York City March 25, 1926. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the army where he recieved a Purple Heart. He initially received a degree in Hotel Administration but eventually obtained a Ph. D. from Columbia University. His interests surrounded the religious aspects of society and ecology.
His first book, Pigs for the Ancestors was based on his work with the Maring people of New Guinea. He authored three additional books and more than 60 articles, reviews and book chapters. His latest book is titled Holiness and Humanity.
Rappaport was an internationally respected scholar and was an advisor to the President of the National Academy of Sciences Task Force, and a consultant for the State of Nevada regarding storage of nuclear waste. Dr. Rappaport was a member of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, he served as Chair for the Department of Anthropology and as President of the American Anthropological Association.
Roy A. Rappaport died on October 9, 1997.
Obituary by Department of Anthropology. University of Michigan Oct. 15, 1997.
Written by Julia Messerli
Edited by Lisa Mayer, 2007