Jeffery Sobal, emeritus nutrition professor, dies at 74

Jeffery Sobal, a sociologist whose work focused on the social causes and consequences of obesity, eating relationships and food systems, died Aug. 3. He was 74.

Sobal, a professor emeritus in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and a member of Cornell's faculty for 34 years, applied theories and methods from several social science disciplines to understand food choices, eating and nutrition, and examined the stigma surrounding weight in our society. Throughout his career, he was guided by the goals of social justice and good health.

"Jeff was part of a core group of community nutrition faculty members whose scholarly contributions had a far-reaching influence and made a lasting mark on the field of nutrition," said Pat Cassano, the Alan D. Mathios professor in the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and former director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences, which is shared by CHE and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "He was the kind of person you loved to run into. He was always curious about others, what they were working on and how they were doing. He was a kind and caring member of our community."

He was especially dedicated to the course he taught on social science theories and methods in nutrition, she said, and he was proud of the experience that it provided to students, which included an early and forward-thinking example of active learning. He taught both graduate and undergraduate students, and creatively used his classroom to benefit both sets of students.

Sobal's professional relationships stretched across the world. He was a member of the American Sociological Association, the Eastern Sociological Society and the Association for the Study of Food and Society. Sobal came to Cornell in 1989, after teaching at Gettysburg College and the University of Maryland.

Colleagues said he was a strong supporter of female faculty and students and valued their contributions.

Angela Odoms-Young, the Nancy Schlegel Meinig Associate Professor of Maternal and Child Nutrition, recalled a time when she was switching from nutritional biochemistry to community nutrition and was struggling.

"He shared a book with me on scientific writing that changed my life," she said. "Jeff was down to earth, easy to talk to, and always willing to give feedback on your ideas."

Sobal was born Jan. 5, 1950, in Gary, Indiana. The oldest of four brothers, he worked in a local steel mill during the summers to put himself through college. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology from Bucknell University, followed by a master's degree and doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. He added a master of public health degree in behavioral science, nutrition and epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University.

Before his death, Sobal succeeded in visiting all 63 of our national parks, including the National Park of American Samoa, finishing with New River Gorge earlier this year.

"Jeff was gentle, kind, and funny," said his wife, Andrea Volckmar. "His curiosity about people and how they saw the world made him open to many points of view."

Sobal was predeceased by his first wife, Robin Treon, and is survived by Andrea Volckmar and his three younger brothers, David, Tom and Larry Sobal.

Robin Roger is assistant dean for communications in the College of Human Ecology.

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