In Memoriam: William Alonso

William Alonso, Richard Saltonstall professor of population policy, died on February 11, 1999. He was 66.

Alonso had been a member of the school community since 1976, when he became the director of the Center for Population Studies. Two years later, he became the Richard Saltonstall professor of population policy in the Faculty of Public Health and a member of the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Alonso's research focused on the dynamics of demographic change. His special concern was for population problems in highly urbanized regions. He developed mathematical models of migration and population distribution, and conducted policy-oriented analyses of demographic change. His research included such topics as third world urbanization and health; European urban-regional migration patterns; and statistical investigations of race and ethnicity in American society.

Alonso will be remembered as an enthusiastic scholar: "He was always interested in a very broad range of topics," said Rose Frisch, associate professor of population sciences, emerita. Frisch first worked with Alonso in the late 1970s. "Bill was happy to take time to talk with colleagues and students about their research. His was always a friendly face and a curious intellect. He will be much missed at the university."

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