It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Ron Howard, a pioneering figure in the field of Decision Analysis (DA) and an inspiration to numerous professionals around the world. 

In turning Decision Theory into Decision Analysis, Professor Howard’s revolutionized how individuals and organizations approach decision-making, laying the foundation for a field that has transformed a wide range of industries with high stakes and complex decisions from healthcare to engineering. His contributions over six decades shaped how we understand risk, uncertainty, and the importance of structured, value-driven decisions. Carl Spetzler, a longtime partner with Ron, said "Ron and Jim (Matheson) created the Teaching Hospital for DA at SRI already in 1966. I was lucky to find them and join that SRI DA Group."

That group generated many dedicated practitioners that led to the forming of the Society of Decision Professionals (SDP), which are continuing to carry forward his legacy by advancing the principles of Decision Quality (DQ) across the globe. Our Society embodies his passion for thoughtful, ethical decision-making and continues to foster the spirit of innovation and collaboration that he championed. In recognition for his contributions and that of his fellow thought leader, Howard Raiffa, the SDP established the Raiffa-Howard Award to recognize organizational adoption of DQ.  This award has been earned by such notable companies as Chevron, Pfizer, Eli Lily and China Mobile but the award’s criteria has been used by many others as a measure for their own DQ deployments.

Professor Howard was not only an academic giant but also a mentor to generations of Decision Professionals. Through his work at Stanford University, where he was a beloved professor, he shaped the careers of many, leaving an indelible mark on our community. His influence reached far beyond the classroom, touching every corner of the DA world through his research, writings, and commitment to advancing ethical decision-making.

Reflecting on Professor Howard’s profound influence, his dear colleague and friend, James Matheson, Ph.D., shared: "Ron was a tool collector, but most of the time he fixed things with his jackknife. He tried to find the simplest way to solve a problem. That was the same thing about Decision Analysis—you don’t need to build complex models, you just need to get clarity to act.”

His legacy lives on in the principles he established and the countless individuals whose lives and careers he touched. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire Decision Analysis community as we reflect on the profound impact of his work and celebrate his extraordinary life.

Jeremy Walker

President, Society of Decision Professionals