Anita S. Halper, 89, passed away on August 30, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. Anita founded the Department of Communication Disorders at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and served multiple critical roles in organizations dedicated to the study of aphasiology throughout her career.

Anita received numerous awards, including Honors of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association in 2002 and Honors of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences in 2015. When Anita retired after 58 years of service from the RIC (now called the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab), she was honored with the creation of the Anita S. Halper Communication Sciences and Disorders Annual Lecture, held each year during National Speech Language and Hearing Month. 

Anita was a founding member of the Academy of Aphasia, Chair of Local Arrangements at the very first Academy meeting in 1963, and served in many Academy roles throughout her career. For more about Anita's considerable contributions to the Academy, please read the memoriam from the Board of Governors.