Whitcomb, Donald Scott

Donald Scott Whitcomb passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. He was 79 years old. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janet (nee Johnson), his two children, John and Felicia, and his brother David (Jan, Melissa, Michelle).

Donald was born in Elizabeth, N.J., on April 27, 1944, to Scott and Carmela (Previty) Whitcomb. After graduating from Emory University with a BA (honors - Art History) in 1966, Donald joined the Peace Corp and taught English in Bushire, Iran. On his return to the US, he earned an MA from the University of Georgia (Anthropology) in 1971 and a Ph.D. in Islamic Archaeology from the Department of Anthropology of the University of Chicago in 1979. He served as Research Associate and Associate Professor (Islamic Archaeology) at the Oriental Institute (now the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures) and Middle East Center at the University of Chicago between 1981 and 2024. He also served as a (Research) Fellow at the American Center for Oriental Research (Amman, Jordan), American Research Center in Egypt (Cairo), the Smithsonian Institution, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, carrying out field research, teaching and curating museum exhibits throughout the Near/Middle East. In 2018, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Middle East Medievalists (professional organization).

A notable author and scholar, Donald was truly a pioneer in the field of Islamic Archaeology, excavating sites throughout the region and creating an MA/PhD program in Islamic Archaeology at the University of Chicago which included practical archaeological field training. He directed excavations in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria, and Iran, frequently in affiliation with/support from national and international research centers such as the National Geographic Society and the American Numismatic Society. He also served as Curator for a number of museum exhibits, both in Chicago and in the Near/ Middle East, highlighting results of his excavations.

Donald published eight books, about excavations and museum exhibits, and numerous articles, ranging from excavation reports to discussions of especially interesting objects to theoretical pieces on the implications for history and society of the broad field of “Islamic Archaeology”.

Donald loved to be outdoors, explore, and spend time with family. He enjoyed tractor-riding, and barbeques at his family farm in Indiana (which he named Hindijan), along with Saturday morning soccer games. He also enjoyed reading; especially sitting in the garden with a good book.

He will be missed by all.

A memorial service is planned in Chicago for May 2, 2024. Please email dwmemorial@outlook.com for additional information.