"No matter the length of time anyone spent in Lou's orb, it really became clear that he cast a giant shadow. Lou's zest and love for life, teaching, politics informed by rationalism and fairness, and UMBC are the stuff of legend," she wrote.
Dr. Arthur T. Johnson, UMBC provost and friend of many years, described Dr. Cantori as "larger than life."
"You always knew when Lou was in a room. He loved debating, and he enjoyed discussing ideas," Dr. Johnson said. "He was a real pioneer and helped make UMBC the important institution it is today."
In addition to his work at UMBC, Dr. Cantori had held visiting professorships at the U.S. Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Marine Corps University, American University, University of Pennsylvania and McCormick Theological Seminary.
He had been a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development and was a visiting lecturer to the State Department.
Dr. Cantori was the author, co-author or editor of four books on the Middle East and comparative politics. He also wrote articles on Middle Eastern issues and at his death was completing work on his latest book, Statism and the Emergence of the Modern Arab State.
Fluent in Arabic, French and German, Dr. Cantori led a nationwide group of professors for many years to Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Sudan and the Sinai peninsula in hopes of fostering cultural and political understanding.
He was a founding member of the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies, and the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, and had been provost of the School of Islamic and Social Sciences near Leesburg, Va.
Dr. Cantori was an avid swimmer and was especially proficient in the butterfly, family members said.
He also enjoyed reading and writing.
Services are private.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Barbara Joan Nye; two sons, M. Gregory Cantori of Pasadena and Eric L. Cantori of Glenelg; a daughter, Nadia P. Cantori Ward of Fulton; two sisters, Carole Izquierdo and Paula Malady, both of Boston; and nine grandchildren.
fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com
