Princeton’s Anthropology professor dies after falling during seminar in Himalayas

An anthropology professor died after falling during a seminar for students in Himalayan mountains. Colleagues say Clark-Deces was a scholar of southern Asia and frequently travelled there. Isabelle Clark-Deces is the author of several books and has directed the South Asian Studies program since 2007.

A professor from Princeton University has died after falling during a seminar for students in Himalayan Mountains.

The Ivy League University said in a statement that Isabelle Clark-Deces died on June 29 in the village of Mussoorie.

An anthropology professor was directing a six-week international study seminar for a small group of undergraduate students in the northern state of Uttarakhand when the accident occurred. But further details were not disclosed.

Clark-Deces (61) was born in Paris and earned her, anthropology bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of California-Berkeley. She had joined the Princeton faculty in 1996 and taught undergraduate and graduate courses.

Deces is the author of several books and has directed the South Asian Studies program since it’s establishment in 2007. She is survived by a daughter, two brothers and her long-time partner.

Colleagues say Clark-Deces was a scholar of southern Asia and frequently travelled there.

"We have lost a passionate teacher," said Carolyn Rouse, a professor of anthropology at Princeton who serves as department chair.

"Walking through the halls, one could often hear Isabelle mentoring her undergraduate students. She always provided clear and honest advice, delivered with encouragement and love," said Rouse.

Sarah Pinto, an associate professor of anthropology at Tufts University who earned her doctorate in anthropology at Princeton with Clark-Deces as her adviser, described her as "a passionate teacher and mentor, full of fiery intelligence and frank clarity."