Dr. Ezekiel Kalipeni
(1954-2020)
He was simply the best.
On April 11th, 2020, the Kalipeni family lost their patriarch, many lost a friend, and the world lost a brilliant mind. Dr. Ezekiel Kalipeni passed away in his home country of Malawi where he had been busy, after his retirement, laying down the groundwork for his family and community to succeed.
Dr. Kalipeni was born on February 4th, 1954, in Mchinji, Malawi. Growing up wasn’t easy, but he knew from a young age that if he was going to support his people, he’d have to persevere in life and strive for an education.
After earning his BA in Social Sciences from the University of Malawi, Dr. Kalipeni went on to receive his MA and Ph. D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in the Department of Geography, where he also taught. Through his vast career, Dr. Kalipeni also held positions at The University of Malawi at Chancellor College, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia. He educated thousands, sponsored hundreds of PhD students, and mentored many more. He impacted the lives of many through his work- as a Professor – and through his public service.
Dr. Kalipeni’s work in human geography and the state of how pandemics spread through poverty was recognized by numerous national and international research awards. He was also a published author of numerous books and academic articles.
He was proud, jovial, funny, humble and a storyteller. He had a photographic memory, genius level IQ, a sarcastic sense of humor, and a love for travel. He was a family man who taught his kids how to swim and ride bikes, took his family on summer vacations, and overall provided a strong foundation. Dr. Kalipeni’s main goal in life was serving his community, speaking for those who didn’t have a voice, and spreading his vast knowledge by educating others. It is because of him and his wife’s service that the Kalipeni Foundation was conceptualized. His legacy will be carried forward by his wife, Fattima Kalipeni, and his children – Natalia, Josephine, Jacqueline, Juliana, Joshua, Melissa, and Jacob.
Please feel free to leave a note for the Kalipeni family below. In lieu of gifts, we ask that you donate to The Kalipeni Foundation so we can continue to further Dr. Kalipeni’s vision. Thank you.
Peace and blessings,
The Kalipeni Family