Dr. Larry Elowitz

“Teachers don’t impact for a year, but for a lifetime” -Anonymous

Dr. Larry Elowitz passed away on May 14, 2023. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, 2:00 p.m., May 17, 2023, at New Congregation Sha’areh Israel, with Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to The Georgia College in Washington (GC in DC), Office of University Advancement, Campus Box 96, Milledgeville, GA 31061.

Dr. Elowitz is survived by his wife, Sharon Adler Elowitz; brother-in-law Jeffrey Davidson (Leah Adler Davidson, deceased) (Beth); niece, Janna Davidson Gilbert (Chris); nephew, Ian Davidson (Adrienne); great nieces and nephews, Maia Davidson, Quinn Davidson, Ryan Gilbert, and Lyla Gilbert.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Dr. Elowitz received his B.Ed and M.A. from the University of Miami (FL) and his Ph.D. in Political Science/International Relations from the University of Florida. In December of 1964 he married the love of his life, Sharon Adler, and last December they celebrated 58 years of marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Elowitz moved to Milledgeville, GA in 1972, and he taught in the Department of Government and Sociology for over thirty years, serving as Department Chair for 20 years. 

1n 1980 Dr. Elowitz became the first professor to occupy the Carl Vinson Chair of Political Science and Public Administration, and he held that position with distinction until the fall of 2014. Although he served as Department Chair for the Department of Government and Sociology, his love of teaching was reflected in everything he did. His courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels were very popular among students, particularly: American Foreign Policy, International Problems, Terrorism, National Security Policy, the Presidency, and Environmental Politics. In 1982-83 Dr. Elowitz was Visiting Professor of National Security Affairs at the United States Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama.

Dr. Elowitz conducted interviews with prominent political figures such as Carl Vinson, Ted Turner and Sam Nunn, and published a number of books and articles in his field. However, he was first and foremost a teacher. Dr. Mike Digby, one of his colleagues at Georgia College described Dr. Elowitz as one of the best teachers he had ever known. Many of his students, as well as his fellow faculty members, echo that sentiment. In 1994, he was elected by his colleagues as Distinguished Professor, an award recognizing outstanding leadership, teaching, and scholarship. In a recent tribute to Dr. Elowitz on his 75th birthday, Dr. Harold Mock, Director of Leadership Programs and Assistant Professor of History at Georgia College wrote. “Dr. Elowitz has a once-in-a-generation mind. Georgia college, his department, and his students are the better for his examples of teaching, scholarship, and service.”

In addition to his studies and ongoing teaching and learning experiences, Dr. Elowitz loved movies, music, technology and sounds systems, good food, tennis, whiffleball, the New York Yankees, the Miami Dolphins, and the University of Florida Gators. He and Sharon enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Dr. Larry Elowitz will be remembered for years to come in the hearts of those who loved him. His legacy as a master teacher will influence the lives of the many students who have taken his classes.

Sharon would like to thank the wonderful caregivers Bertha Bridges, Doris Wilson, and Tabatha Fisher, and a special thanks to the Agape Hospice team. They went above and beyond the call of duty. She could not have asked for a better group of people to help care for her husband.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. 

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.