Dr. Boris B. Baltes, Fellow of SIOP and distinguished scholar, passed away suddenly on August 21, 2025, at the age of 59. Boris left an indelible mark on organizational science through his research, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to advancing our field.
Boris earned his PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from Northern Illinois University in 1998, following his MBA from the University of Wisconsin in 1992. He joined Wayne State University’s Department of Psychology that same year, beginning what would become a distinguished 27-year career of scholarship and service. Rising through academic ranks, he served as department chair before assuming leadership roles as senior vice provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Personnel, simultaneously serving when needed as interim dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and as interim dean of the College of Education.
His scholarly contributions were both substantial and impactful, encompassing over 170 publications, chapters, and presentations. Boris’ research expertise centered on critical areas of organizational psychology, including age and workplace issues, biases in performance appraisal, and work–family conflict and balance. His research on selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) strategies, building on the legacy of work in lifespan developmental psychology conducted by his parents, Drs. Paul and Margaret Baltes, provided valuable insights into how individuals manage competing demands, particularly in work–family contexts.
Boris’ service to the discipline extended beyond his research. He served as an associate editor for the Journal of Organizational Behavior and maintained editorial board positions across multiple journals, helping to shape the field’s scholarly discourse. His commitment to advancing organizational science was evident in his role as a board member of the Margaret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation, which supports outstanding scientific achievement. Boris mentored numerous doctoral students and taught courses in statistics and selection that affected the careers of many others.
Wayne State University and the city of Detroit held a special place in Boris’s heart. He was passionate about Wayne State’s mission as an urban research university, and he was proud to call metro Detroit his home. Those who knew him—whether in the classroom, in the halls of the university, or in daily life—were touched by his kindness, steadiness, and genuine care for others. Numerous tributes at the university have referred to him simply as “one of the good ones.” Boris embodied the best of what our field can offer, and he will be deeply missed.
Boris is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Dawn McGraw Baltes, and sons Gavin and Kai. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Baltes Foundation, Psychology Department, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202.
