Michael Horwitz

Michael Bennett Horwitz of Austin, age 62, died of prostate cancer on October 1, 2010. Michael was a graduate of the University of Maryland and American University and earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After a 20-year practice in counseling psychology in Austin, Michael became a fee-only financial planner and applied his integrity, personal empathy, and insight in support of his clients’ needs and goals.

An early advocate of the rights of non-smokers, Michael spearheaded national efforts to restrict smoking in public places and initiated efforts in Austin that led to city ordinances. In 1980, he published the first national compilation of restaurants that accommodated non-smokers. Michael was the author of numerous professional publications in psychology, financial planning, and smoking cessation and was co-author with Elaine K. Horwitz and JoAnn Cope of an influential article on foreign language anxiety. He was a frequent visitor to New Mexico and loved its culture and outdoor life.

A student activist during his college years, Michael traveled to Chicago for the 1968 Democratic National Convention and was President of Students for Robert F. Kennedy at the University of Maryland. He was a successful plaintiff in the Supreme Court Case Dellums v. Powell, which extended the right of free speech to audiences.

Michael was preceded in death by his beloved father, Manuel G. Horwitz. He is survived by his wife of almost 39 years Elaine K. Horwitz of Austin, children Deborah J. K. Horwitz of Houston, son Jeremy A. K. Horwitz, a student in Ithaca, NY, mother Annette R. Horwitz and sister and brother-in-law Desdra E. Horwitz and David I. Lewin of Silver Spring, Maryland, and brother-in-law Allan Kolker of Fairfax, Virginia.

Graveside Services will be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon, Monday, the fourth day of October, 2010 at Agudas Achim of Austin Memorial Park.