Obituary:

Donald Shankweiler, 91, of Mansfield Center, Connecticut died peacefully on August 24, 2026. Dr. Shankweiler was a professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut where he was employed from 1968 to 2002. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of the late Mary Arnold (Strother) and Donald Walbert Shankweiler.

After discovering the field of psychology at Oberlin College, he went on to earn his Doctorate in Psychology at the University of Iowa where he developed a lifelong fascination with cerebral hemispheric specialization. This interest prompted him to complete post-doctoral studies both at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, and at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Subsequently, he joined the faculty of the UConn psychology department at which, along with his ongoing commitment to his graduate students, he taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels in the areas of cognitive psychology and the psychology of language.

Throughout this time, Dr. Shankweiler was a pioneering researcher in the science of spoken and written language. In addition to his role at UConn, Donald was a senior scientist and long-time member of the Board of Directors at Haskins Laboratories in New Haven, where he collaborated with others investigating the development, disorders, and neurological underpinnings of speech and reading. Throughout this time, Dr. Shankweiler was a pioneering researcher in the science of spoken and written language. In addition to his role at UConn, Donald was a senior scientist and long-time member of the Board of Directors at Haskins Laboratories in Manhattan, NY (later, New Haven, CT), where he collaborated with others investigating the development, disorders, and neurological underpinnings of speech and reading.

A lifelong nature lover and early riser, Don enjoyed his daily jogs along the meandering roads (steep ones!) and past the farms of Knowlton Hill, hiking during trips to the White Mountains, birding, summering at the family cabin of his wife Ruth Millikan at Rainy Lake, Minnesota, and the simplicity and serenity of daily life overlooking Hansen’s Pond with his family. For over 40 years, Don played viola in the Willimantic Orchestra, where his passion for (in his words), “the wonderful symphony orchestra repertoire” kept him practicing daily, despite the pressures of work.

Don is survived by his devoted family: his wife, Ruth (Garrett-Millikan), herself a retired professor and well-known philosopher of biology, psychology, and language; daughters Catherine Shankweiler, Sarah Casey, Aino Millikan, Natasha Millikan, grandson Curtis, and sons-in-law Geoffrey Casey and Mateo Duggan. He is also remembered by his former wife and mother of Catherine and Sarah, Penelope Williams. Don was caring and thoughtful toward all his graduate students, his friends and his colleagues. Although an only child, he cared deeply for his relatives, near and far, often engaging the family with tales, adventures and memories that were dear to his heart. Not one to shy away from adventure, in 2018, together with Ruth he actualized a lifelong dream and invited the family for a chartered boat trip to sail in the Cyclades.

Don will be remembered for his easygoing manner and the enjoyment he had for so many things in life; for his generosity, integrity, his wry sense of humor and mischievous smile, and his absolute dedication to his pursuits (academic, athletic and musical). In the words of Sheila Blumstein, former Chair of the Haskins Board, he was “a true gentleman and scholar.”

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A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, October 17 from 12:00-4:00 PM .

University of Connecticut, Atrium of the Bousfield Psychology Building, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269-1020. Refreshments will be served.

Donations in Donald Shankweiler’s memory can be made to: Amnesty International https://donate.amnestyusa.org/ (select OTHER WAYS TO GIVE/HONORARY)

The Potter funeral home is assisting the family.

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Obituary: Donald Shankweiler (PDF)

In Memoriam (forthcoming)

Faculty Page at the University of Connecticut

Wikipedia page