Friends honor UNC professor George Rabinowitz’s life

Family, friends and colleagues who gathered Monday to reflect on the life of professor George Rabinowitz all recalled one thing — his kindness.

“He was the kindest, most helpful and authentic person I knew in the 35 years I worked in the political science department,” said Joel Schwartz, a retired UNC professor of political science and public policy, at the Judea Reform Congregation Cemetery.

“You know they say nobody was indispensable? Well nobody could ever replace what George was to his students.”

Rabinowitz died of a heart attack on March 22 while conducting research in Norway with his wife, Stuart Macdonald, who also teaches political science. He was 67.

He is survived by his wife and their sons, David and Josh.

Colleagues remembered Rabinowitz for his contribution to the intellectual community in the political science department.

Family and friends said he was someone who gave without demanding or expecting anything in return.

Bart Wojdynski, who grew up alongside David, said he was fortunate enough to get to know Rabinowitz as both a father and a professor.

“He would talk to us like we were adults, even when we were 11 and 12,” Wojdynski said.

As an undergraduate, Wojdnski decided to take POLI 100 with Rabinowitz. He remembered how nervous he felt being picked to answer a question on the first day of class.

“All 399 heads turned to look at me,” he said. “I sort of became that guy.

“But it was rewarding for me to get to see him in his element and to be so comfortable and successful there when all I knew was he was a great family guy and a friend.”

Laughter occasionally broke through the respectful silence as Rabinowitz’s colleagues shared what they remembered the most about working alongside the professor.

“It’s very easy to say nice things about George Rabinowitz. His kindness was legendary,” recalled Kerry Haynie, associate professor of political science.

“But the impact of his research is what will survive as his legacy in the department and at the University,” he said.

Rabinowitz’s theory of directional issue voting — which states that voters are likely to pick a candidate in the direction of their preferences, even if the candidate is further from their stance ­— won him numerous awards and accolades.

But Haynie, who worked alongside Rabinowitz for more than 25 years, said he would be remembered not only for his scholarship but also his nurturing relationship with his students.

“He was a great scholar and mentor,” said James Monogan, who had Rabinowitz as a graduate professor.

Monogan, who is now an assistant professor in the political science department at the University of Georgia, said Rabinowitz’s legacy lives on in the students whose lives he touched.

“It’s true he leaves a great legacy as a researcher, and that’s in print,” he said. “But he also will be remembered by the students he advised as someone who had a very formative influence on their careers.”

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