Sheldon Cashdan

Sheldon Cashdan, age 89, passed away on April 5, 2025.

Sheldon was an author, professor, and clinical psychologist, as well as an avid traveler, bridge and tennis player, and perhaps most importantly, a devoted husband, brother, and father.

He was born in Coney Island, spent his early years in Israel, then grew up in Brooklyn, NY, where he attended Brooklyn Technical High School. While earning a BS in physics from CCNY, he played goalie for the CCNY lacrosse team. He then shifted his educational focus to psychology, earning both a master’s and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, while also serving in the Air Force Reserves, where he learned to sew, repair sewing machines, and pack parachutes.

His first teaching position was at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, after which he taught for nearly 28 years (1968-1996) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as a professor of psychology. During his 56 years in Amherst, he was also in private practice.

He loved to write from an early age. He published several seminal books in psychology, including two that are still in print today: Abnormal Psychology (1972) and Object Relations Therapy (1988). He also published work for general audiences: The Witch Must Die: The Hidden Meaning of Fairy Tales, which has been translated into more than half a dozen languages, and a novel, published in 2013 titled Emma von N.

Sheldon lived his life fully. He travelled extensively around the world, from Mexico to Russia and everywhere in between, including cross country and cross Europe road trips. He spent sabbaticals in London, Costa Rica and California. His wife not only travelled extensively with him, but also shared his passion for ballroom dancing, skiing, bridge, tennis, and so much more. A life-long learner with a curious mind, Sheldon had many interests, such as collecting antiques, paperweights, and art; tinkering with collectable cameras, clocks, and cars; and building and refinishing furniture.

Sheldon’s enduring impact on those whose lives he touched is evidenced by the many family and friends who have gathered to share cherished memories. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eva, his children, David and Jessica and son-in-law François, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ariane and her husband Conor, Kai, Talia, Indigo and Maya; as well as his sister, Aura and her children Debra, Joelle, and Matthew; his brother-in-law, Eric, his wife, Jean, and children Gary and Michael; and sister-in-law Fay.

During his lifetime, it brought Sheldon joy to help others. In that spirit, gifts can be made in Sheldon’s honor to any charity of your choosing.

To carry forth his memory, the family invites you to explore his books at your local library.