Nicholas M. Kiefer

Nicholas M. “Nick” Kiefer, age 73, died in his sleep in his home in Ithaca, NY, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. His death was caused by complications related to cancer.

Born in Tucson, AZ, on February 28, 1951, to Margaret Murphy Kiefer and Christopher Kiefer, Nicholas soon moved with his family to Tarpon Springs, FL. Nicholas was the eldest of three children, which included his siblings, Christensen and Maxim Kiefer. In 1972, Nicholas graduated from Florida State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He then went on to complete his MA and PhD in Economics at Princeton University in 1976. Following his postdoctoral fellowship at NIMH, he became an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago in 1976 and an Associate Professor at Cornell University in 1980. Later, in 1985, he accepted a full Professorship at Cornell University, where he spent the majority of his career. In 1986, he was awarded a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation for “his past achievements and promise of future accomplishments.” He also became the chaired Tai-Ching Liu Professor of Economics and Statistics at Cornell University in 1996.

Nicholas and his former wife, Charlotte, had three children together: Patrick, Gregory and Joseph. In 1999, he married Meral Varis Kiefer, with whom he had one more child, their son Mark. Nicholas had a passion for teaching and research, and would often discuss his joy of pursuing knowledge across many disciplines. In his free time, he enjoyed sailing, fishing, cooking and culinary history, writing and reading.

Nicholas Kiefer was laid to rest at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in Newfield, NY, on March 15, 2024. A celebration of his life will be held at Cornell University on a date to be announced.