Pittman joined the University in 1958 as an assistant professor of sociology in Arts & Sciences. He became professor of sociology in 1964 and chaired that department from 1976-1986.

David J. Pittman

When the department closed in 1991, Pittman continued his research and teaching here as a professor of sociology in psychology, a position he held until becoming emeritus in 1993.

He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1950. He earned a doctorate in human development from the University of Chicago in 1956 and served on faculty at the University of Rochester from 1950-58. There he built a reputation with pioneering research on public alcoholics.

Pittman was the author or editor of eight books, notably Revolving Door (1958), The Drug Scene in Great Britain (1967) and Society, Culture and Drinking Patterns Reexamined (1991). He also authored or edited more than 200 published scientific articles, reports and essays in the areas of alcoholism, drug addiction, criminology, sexual behavior and mass media.

His research led to his appointment as a consultant to the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department and to President Lyndon Johnson's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice (1966-67).

His research helped spur the commission's recommendation that public drunkenness be considered a socio-medical problem and that communities establish treatment centers. His work led to the creation of the nation's first detoxification center, which opened in St. Louis in 1967.

Pittman was also president of the North American Association of Alcoholism Programs and chair of the quadrennial 28th International Congress on Alcohol and Alcoholism. He was on the board of directors of the National Council on Alcoholism.

Pittman is survived by his partner of many years, Lawrence R. Peterson.

Pittman's personal Web page, which includes pictures and details on his life and research, is available at homepage.mac.com/djpittman.