In Memoriam: Irwin Sarason

Irwin Sarason, Ph.D., professor emeritus of Psychology who served as the department's chair from 1988–1993, passed away on Nov. 6, 2025, at the age of 96.

Sarason began studying clinical psychology at the University of Iowa in 1951, where he met his late wife, Barbara. Irwin and Barbara both earned master's degrees there in 1953 and married that fall. They went on to earn Ph.D.s in clinical psychology from Indiana University. Irwin became an assistant professor at the University of Washington, becoming a full professor in 1956. Irwin and Barbara wrote a textbook together that saw 11 editions and was used around the world. 

Irwin retired in 2004 but continued to write and conduct research, and was a frequent and welcome visitor to the department.

Read Sarason's full obituary in the Seattle Times.