Balfour Jeffrey

In Loving Memory of Balfour Jeffrey

Balfour Jeffrey, 81, beloved husband, father, brother, and esteemed professor, passed away due to respiratory failure and complications from COVID-19 on July 20, 2024 in Missoula, Montana. Born in Washington DC on May 3rd, 1943 and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in a United Auto Workers union family. Balfour was a star athlete, excelling in both baseball and hockey, and made the varsity team all four years at Cody High School. He was an avid Detroit Red Wings and Tigers fan and he loved talking to his son about the Montana Grizzlies. Throughout his life he shared a special bond with his sister, Sharon, and they were inseparable growing up.

Balfour’s parents Newman and Mildred (Millie) Jeffrey made a profound impact on his life. 

Balfour was deeply inspired by his mother, Millie Jeffrey, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, for her lifelong work in civil rights, women’s rights, and labor rights. He was immensely proud of her participation in the Selma to Montgomery marches alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He also spent a year studying abroad at the University of Kampala in Uganda while his father, Newman Jeffrey, served as the first director of USAID, appointed by President John F. Kennedy. One of Balfour's favorite memories was driving his father’s jeep from Kampala to Nairobi to celebrate Kenya's independence from England. He often recalled the joy of dancing in the streets with Kenyans on that historic day.

Balfour attended Wayne State University and University of Michigan and focused on studying psychology. After graduating with honors from Wayne State University, Balfour met the love of his life, Rashel Levine, at the University of Michigan. They were married on December 20, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan. They were married for 52 wonderful years and had many adventures together. Balfour pursued his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Utah, where he was recognized by the honor society of PHI Kappa PHI for his academic excellence. In addition to his love of academics, Balfour always said his love for the outdoors, particularly skiing in the fresh powder of Alta and Snowbird, was the true reason for choosing Utah.

Balfour’s Ph.D dissertation led to the publication of his successful book, “Take it Off and Keep it Off,” which garnered him an associate professorship in Psychology at Emory University. There, he collaborated on several obesity, health and psychology studies with the Center of Disease Control. Rashel enjoyed their time in Atlanta, where she was noted for her balcony garden and played golf, a sport she loved since her university days where she played on the women’s team. Rashel also pursued her own meaningful career in social work throughout their life together. 

The couple had their first child while living in Atlanta, Erica Rose Jeffrey, who kept them on their toes through her lifelong love of dance. Balfour’s passion for nature led him to seek a life out west. Encouraged by Rashel, he secured a position at the University of Montana, where he enjoyed a 30+ year career as a Psychology professor. He often said that teaching at the University of Montana was the greatest honor of his life, as he loved working with students to discover their paths’ in life. 

Shortly after moving to Missoula, Balfour and Rashel welcomed their second child, Thomas Balfour Jeffrey, who kept them youthful with his energy and curiosity. In 1980, Balfour was elected as a member of the New York Academy of Sciences for his research and scientific achievements. In the early 1980s, he conducted the first academic study on the effects of advertising on children, results which were released in Rome, Italy. This impactful work led to his selection as a Charles Darwin Fellow at Cambridge University and subsequent teaching and research invitations at Stanford University.

He continued his work at the University of Montana for many years while enjoying life in Missoula, Montana. Balfour instilled in his children the appreciation and passion for learning, and he maintained a constant curiosity about the world. He passed on a deep love of nature, the beauty of Montana, of exercise, (including ‘walking & talking’), and arts and culture. He is preceded in death by his wife Rashel Jeffrey. He is survived by his sister Sharon Lehrer and his children, Erica Rose Jeffrey, Thomas Balfour Jeffrey and their families. 

Balfour Jeffrey's legacy lives on through his loving family, his contributions to academia, and the many students he mentored and inspired throughout his career. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Balfour experienced joy walking in nature and the family encourages you to take some time to enjoy a beautiful place outside.

A ceremony will be held on August 2nd at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula, Montana at 11:30 am with a reception to follow. An internment will take place at Holy Spirit Columbarium, which will also honour his wife Rashel Jeffrey and their life together. 

In lieu of flowers the family invites contributions to the D. Balfour Jeffrey Scholarship Fund at the University of Montana.