Tom transmitted me a lot of motivation to do my best researches and training. Tom was full of spirit and esprit. I am very sorry missed a good friend forever.

Tom is one of the few people who changed the way I think professionally and personally. I am proud that I had started spreading AHP in China and other parts of the world. He will be remembered around the world for generations. I already miss him!

Tom was a remarkable person. A first class scientist of course, and yet very simple, clear, and friendly, that very complex concepts of math and life would come out naturally in a conversation. I started knowing about Prof. Saaty through AHP, later I was given a privileged to meet Tom personally and discover that it is so much more to learn from him than decision analysis. Indeed, during my time in Pittsburgh I've learned about creativity and how to confront problems trying to decipher them and put ideas in order to easily use them further.
Now I continue teaching AHP-ANP and its environmental applications at Saint Petersburg State University, and looking forward to a new semester when I can give my students a drop of inspiration from the ocean that Tom provided me with.

Thomas was not a hero, he discovered nothing because he was a hero, he did not work hard because he was a hero; he did not suffer quietly because he was a hero; he did not persist stubbornly because he was a hero. heroes do what they do because they are heroes, like being able to quack because you are a duck. Hero-worship denies his achievements, makes him god-oid.

Ali Soltani
Professor of Urban Planning & Transport
Univ. of South Australia

Thanks for the simplicity of your words, with which you've always responded to me. Thanks for the precious opportunity you gave me and for your teachings.

Tom has enlightened me with his tremendous work which helped me to succeed professionally. After an email contact when I was deciding on my thesis research, one day I was pleasantly surprised to get his books on AHP/ANP couriered to my doorstep all the way from US to Thailand. So, I was then very sure what my thesis research was going to be! I met Tom and Rosanna nearly 15 years later when I traveled to Pittsburgh and spent a wonderful time with them. Brilliant man, beautiful mind... he will be dearly missed!

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary, Sunday August 20 2017

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2017/08/20/Thomas-L-Saaty-obituary-mathematician-University-of-Pittsburgh-Analytical-Hierarchy-Process/stories/201708200134

There are no words to express my sadness… He will be missed...Tom will always stay in my heart wherever he is!

Tom impacted my life in a way that no one else has. Tom had a special way of providing feedback that then became a vehicle for the person receiving it to want to make the necessary changes in order to positively impact the world. I will forever be indebted to Tom for providing me feedback that resulted in a few sleepless nights.

Tom and my father were first cousins, but Tom and I were only seven years apart in age. So, we were not only cousins but also friends who socialized and played tennis on the court of Washington Missionary College, Takoma Park, MD, where I was a student, and where Tom and his very young family lived for many years, starting in the early 195Os. Tom was then a recent Yale-Ph.D. graduate who had only recently started his first employment, so he didn't even own a car. On the other hand, thanks to my dad's generosity, I had a 1938 Pontiac, which Tom borrowed to pick up his new Stromberg-Carlson High Fidelity set from Baltimore. Soon thereafter, my cousin gave me an album of Johann Strauss's The Gypsy Barron, which was my introduction to classical music. I still own and treasure that album...and all the other warm memories of Tom and his extraordinary mind. Tom's life-long achievements literally memorialized the Saaty family name. Thank you, dear cousin. Rest In Peace.

A great man! His legacies, AHP, ANP and others, are enlightenments for rational decision making process, not just techniques, but more than that, they are philosophies. I teach AHP and ANP for my Research Methodology class and supervising master student thesis on these topics at University of Indonesia until now. We miss him a lot. Rest in peace, Professor.

On July 15th 2017, I wrote to Tom saying “You are a role model for me and for many generations to come”. I am glad he read it and answered my email. This is typical of Tom since the first day I met him in IFORS 1997 Barcelona, he would respond to every email he received.

Tom converted me from being strong believer in mathematical methods seeking exact solutions into ardent believer in AHP/ANP methodology in solving hundreds of real life problems.

Tom developed and taught a course on Creativity. To me Tom was The Creativity itself!

Tom Saaty was a pure force of nature. To be with Tom was to to be challenged to learn smarter, to improve, to demand better of ourselves and one another. He was a teacher, a mentor, a rock star father, an inspiration and absolutely hysterical. I am a lucky friend of his son, John.  I was fortunate to have enjoyed numerous meals, conversations and gatherings with the Saaty Family. Tom always brought his special blend of candor, humor, curiosity and inquisitiveness to each conversation and interaction. Thank you, Tom, for including me in your incredible life. Than you, Saaty Family, for sharing him with me. Cheers to all of you. Eric

Met this unique person even though I am not academia and don’t know anything about AHP, Decision making, Creative thinking and all his sciences. Unique in a sense that he used to come down to my level and relates to my life and understands my inner self whenever I visit. He made an indelible mark in my life by making me understand myself more and accept things. And he was lucky to have Rozann; they complement each other.
He leaves so much behind him that he continues to live inside me.

Tom Saaty changed my life. First, by being the father of the smartest, kindest, most loving woman in the world I am privileged to call my wife, Emily. He welcomed me with open arms and hugs into his family (even though I had to take a math test to prove to him and my professors at Penn that I was worthy of his daughter!). He also changed my life through his life's work on decision making that I was lucky enough to learn from him and then publish. He taught me through example how a man dedicated to his scholarship (and he is indeed the epitome of a scholar) can also be a loving father and friend. Lastly, he changed all of our lives. His theory of decision making and modeling will surely pass the test of time as it is truly the work of a genius. His love of people, his belly-aching laughter after a good joke, his dedication to a more peaceful world will be missed by all. I miss him dearly. And I wish I were a fly on the walls of Heaven as he argues with God about life, tries to convince Him that the eigenvector method is the way to go, and tells Him a few good jokes where they laugh together for eternity.

With our whole gratefulness and affection for allowing us so generously to have you both (Tom and Rozann) in our lives. Teresa and José María.
Likewise, with the recognition for his talent, ingenuity, brilliance, energy and friendliness of his disciples of the "Zaragoza Multicriteria Decision Making Group". It has been an honor to work together.
Finally, for his enormous contribution to the field of Decision Sciences, the eternal memory of the "Spanish Multicriteria Decisión Making Group".

Death is not the end, Tom, has generated a greatest contribution to the world.
A wonderful person, full of love and inspiration.
We will always remember  his generosity, hospitality, creativity and his sense of humor.
I thank to have had the honor to meet you and learned lots from you.
Tom , you will be present for all time in my spirit . Astrid.

It was my honor to have worked with Tom as his Teaching Assistant and Course Grader. I am saddened to learn of his passing and offer my sincere condolences to Rozann and the family.
I however believe this is one of those rare cases where an extraordinary life should be celebrated. Tom lived a long and fruitful life with substantial contributions to Decision Sciences and other realms. His wisdom, ingenuity, hospitality, generosity and sense of humor ensured he made a mark on one’s life for however short or long the period of interaction was.
Tom, it was a privilege to have known you. AHP and ANP have since become a part of my system. You will always be remembered and you will always be missed.

Thank you,
Mustapha A. Bello Ph.D.

I was extremely saddened to hear the news and know that the world lost a great mind. I worked for Dr. Saaty for about five years in the 90s, though I considered him more of a friend than an employer. I know nothing I could say or write would be an adequate tribute to his memory or explain the positive affect he had on my life in such a short amount of time. He had a unique way of looking at people and life that could be both eye-opening and frustrating at the same time. I feel honored to have known him.

Learned a lot from tom, he didn't like being called Mr, doctor or professor. That was the first lesson on the first day of meeting him when I was around 13 years old. Continued learning from him and inspired by him every time we met.

In his presence, you are entertained by his humor, awed by his knowledge and humbled by his generosity.

Learned a lot from you Tom. Thank you.

Tom was a remarkable person, full of charm, talent, creativity and energy, and always ready to share his valuable knowledge and experience.
Visiting him and lovely Rozann, having endless conversations and being shown wonderful places in Pittsburgh left precious memories forever.
Tom will always be present to thousands of people around the globe, who had the privilege of meeting him.
It was a great honour to meet both Tom and Rozann.
We will always miss him.
Eduardo Martinez, PhD
(UNESCO)

He was my mother's cousin so I had heard about him & his intelligence since my childhood in Mosul. A few years ago I got his email address. I sent him an email introducing myself. He called me when he received it.
He also sent me one of his books which I treasure. He continued to send me all the joked even the book of jokes. I had hoped to meet him someday but will never have that opportunity. My deepest sympathy to the whole Saaty clan.

One of his best quotes:
Saaty says that his work stems from his love of humanity and that his inspiration is the desire to contribute knowledge that will make the human race more peaceful. “The human race is too beautiful and intelligent not to survive,” Saaty adds.

http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/story/poland’s-oldest-university-honors-pitt’s-thomas-saaty-pioneer-mathematical-decision-making

He taught me so much

Great man

Thomas was a great man with pride and honor and a wonderful heart full of love. I owe him a lot. His guidance led me to conquer many thoughts on the essence of humanity and led me to conquer and appreciate delightfully the tinglings of the brain.

I am sure that his sole will be among us as long as he wishes and guide us into the future.

A beautiful mind, the best mentor, full of love and inspiration. Thank you for everything that you have done for me, for us, for the world. I miss you. I am so sad. Love you.

Unfortunately I couldn't meet him but I talked to him through skype in four years back. I was the secretary for his conference (International Symposium Analytic Hierarchy Process) which was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2013. I met his wife madam Rozaan Saaty and worked for his e-book on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). He was truly inspiring scholar who contributed lot in social science research. Rest in peace Professor Thomas Saaty. The world will miss your great knowledge and guidance :(

I really thought that Tom Saaty would have guided our AHP community for many years more, thanks to his unlimited strength and committment. For me, he has been the epitome of the caring 'magister'. Even when I asked him the most elementary questions (that I possibly should have not asked if only I were a more attentive researcher...), he always gave me careful and precise answers.
I won't just miss his inexhaustible activity and illuminating guidance but his kindness, wit and wisdom.

I’d like to consider myself as the luckiest person on earth as far as knowing Tom Saaty and learning AHP/ANP are concerned. Nothing I write would ever be enough to express my appreciation and gratitude for the experience.  I had been learning from him and working with him since 1985, knowing the family and enjoying Rozann’s wonderful friendship as well. There are many inspiring philosophical ways of thinking Tom helped me to appreciate. One of them is that I need to learn giving positive response to a joke, even when I don’t get it, because it shows intelligence. Another one is that student grades should be given as encouragements rather than as judgments. It has especially been a privilege for me as his student to walk to and from the school every day, listening on brilliant ideas developing in his mind without having to fully understand them. Accepting his challenge to insert “The Rabbit, the Fox and the Wolf: A Fable” in my dissertation is one of my unforgettable memories. To me the fable represented perfectly of his role in my studying at Katz. He will be missed and forever be in my heart with gratitude.

My essay below is included in the 2016 Edition of U.Pitt Alumni:
“Graduating from the MBA and PhD programs at Katz Graduate School of Business shaped my career as an academic at PPM Graduate School of Management in Jakarta. Being introduced to the Analytic Hierarchy/Network Process (AHP/ANP) during my MBA program from Prof. Thomas L. Saaty himself was the determining factor, which later opening up the opportunity to learn more by being his PhD student. My mastery on AHP/ANP grew further not only from applying it in my consulting projects and by conducting research as a member of the AHP/ANP community, but most of all by working continually with Prof. Thomas L. Saaty including being his coauthor of the book GROUP DECISION MAKING: Drawing out and Reconciling Differences. The AHP/ANP’s breakthrough approach, that fundamentally removed what had been perceived as a scientific impossibility of priority measurement and group decision making in a complex situation, created my interest in Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a paradigm shifter in Personal and Organization Development way of thinking. AHP/ANP and AI enable me to keep learning and making contribution as an independent facilitator after being retired from PPM Graduate School of Management.”

It was an honor to meet Tom and to rediscover the world and our choices through AHP-ANP. My PhD wouldn't have been possible without him and Rozann.
I will never forget my visit to Pittsburgh and the time spent in the backyards on chairs with Tom explaining me how he had put chairs in the garden to test the judgment scale.
He is an amazing and unforgettable man.

I was privileged to know him. He was the best friend I ever had in academic circles. Always helpful and encouraging, never sneaky or arrogant. His humor was overwhelming. A great personality. I will miss him a lot.
Danke Tom für alles.

When I first met Tom in 1998, I was a young scientist knowing almost nothing about the complexity of the world. Fortunately, Tom held an AHP Seminar in Vienna at my home university - since then I am addicted to AHP, wrote the first German book about it (together with my colleague Rainer Haas), introduced it into our class rooms and spread the ideas of AHP wherever appropriate and possible. Thank you Tom for introducing me into the amazing world of decision making. When I was living in the US for some time in 2003, you and Rozann immediately invited my family and me to stay at your home in Pittsburgh and discuss some AHP issues with you. You were so generous, so funny, so incredible wise in your thoughts - thank you, Tom, for everything, my sincerest sympathy to your wonderful family.

A big Loss for nation..

I love to have the Saaty's AHP during my PhD journey. It makes my final PhD day with an undoubted question.

It is wonderful to hear of Tom's long and wonderful life and his gifts of knowledge, inspiration, and love that he shared with everyone during his lifetime. I hope his inspiration continues on to encourage the rest of us to improve the world and individual lives of everyone.

For 34 years I had the pleasure and privilege to know Tom Saaty, a brilliant man who dared to touch each soul he met in life. 

Tom brought light and clarity to all questions that his students and others presented for resolution. 

Tom Saaty was truly a pioneer in bringing his brilliant mathematical mind and pioneering structure frameworks to organize, define and solve problems of all types.

In my professional career, I have never met a man who inspired, touched and loved the pursuit of the truth more than Tom Saaty.

The world is so much richer and better to have had Tom's advancements in AHP bring light, structure and resolution to our world's many problems and unresolved challenges.

Dr Tom Saaty's work will continue, I believe for generations, through his countless students, advocates, admirers, and through his family's Creative Decision Foundation.

Thank you Tom Saaty for your amazing pioneering work to advance decision making and to dare and challenge each of us to bring better frameworks to our decision making.

Your tireless, energetic and pioneering works will live far beyond your life.

May Tom's memory be eternal!

My grandfather was a remarkable man. Handsome for sure and as brilliant as they come. He was the most generous person I've ever met--you had to be careful about complimenting items around his home because he would insist that you take them. He was never a man to take no for an answer! His intelligence, while intimidating, was incredible to witness. The way he belly laughed when telling his favorite jokes was contagious. I loved learning from him and hearing his stories of growing up in Mosul, Iraq. We shared a mutual love of halva and other various sweets. He was writing books and changing the world up until the very end. The admiration I have for him knows no limits. I will miss this man more than I can put into words.

Tom Saaty was a mentor to me and was generous with his resources and time in advising me when I was a graduate student -- and I wasn't even his student! I came across AHP and ended up using it as a tool in my dissertation. I remember a wonderful day spent in Pittsburgh with Tom as he patiently explained and discussed AHP. He wasn't just brilliant but he was funny and kind. He gave me AHP and ANP books as well as his compilation of joke books and I will always remember him fondly for his generosity and kindness. RIP, dear mentor. Cynthia

Dear Tom,
Rest in Peace, with other great scientists and persons of all times.
As you said once, “You can choose where to spend eternity” (Thomas Saaty, The Thinking Man’s New Millennium Joke Book).
We all be always remembering you,

It was a loss to all of us, who had met him and learnt from him.
 
We will miss  his generosity, hospitality, and his sense of humor.

He has been a God's gift to mankind with his knowledge on AHP/ANP.

There are no words to describe his utmost contribution.

And We all going to miss him. It had been an honour to know Tom.

Regards and with tears in our eyes.
Razali and Syarie.
ISAHP 2013
Malaysia

I met Tom about 25 years ago, I was a young men starting my labor activities. He changed my life since then, first with his humor, then with his knowledge and finally with his wisdom and generosity. He always found time to respond my notes (he was never "too busy"). And he always found the way to do what had to be done, a common aspect he shared with my father.
In fact, I would like to share a poem from Edgar Albert Guest call: "It Couldn’t Be Done", which always has remember me of Tom.
With all my love to you Tom.
We will keep your torch alive.

It Couldn't Be Done

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done.
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing.
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that; at least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat and the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, without any doubting or quiddit,
he started to sing as he tackled the thing that couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, there are thousands to prophesy failure, there are thousands to point out to you one by one,
the dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, just take off your coat and go to it;
just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
that “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

Tom Saaty was really a pioneer in bringing his brilliant mathematical mind to organize, define and solve problems in all areas of our life!
I am really glad to accept some books from Tomas as presents! We will miss him a lot!
Dear collegs! Let's spread awareness of AHP...

Tom taught me, how a wise man can comprehend why he knows and understands what he understands. That is, learn from yourself. And so, I can explain how it comes to conclude something.

The sage can suffer enormous isolation if he does not know how he makes his decisions. Tom has allowed knowledge to be shared.

Thank you, Tom, you will always be in my mind and in my soul.

Dear uncle Tom my father was very proud and loved his big brother. HE told me a lot of stories while you were kids. Dear uncle Tom I will miss you.

Dad's words verbatim almost exactly one year before his passing. His granddaughter's comment after reading it: "It felt good to be in his brain for the 10 minutes it took me to read it...it is so Grandpa!"

The man who discovered a legitimate way using judgments to measure all intangibles side by side with tangibles (there are very few intangibles) and combine the two in an overall answer in terms of priorities. It is a biological talent all people, animals, and even plants have to make comparisons. The neurons of our brains are electrical instruments that fire and combine these firings to create feelings, emotions, ideas and dreams. How? He structured hierarchies and networks to integrate all the factors in a problem and used benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks to analyze decisions and combine the four outcomes by using strategic criteria that govern how satisfactory the outcome of a decision. He applied these ideas to such diverse problems both personal, group, and governmental decision. He also applied it to sports where data are not enough and judgments of intangibles such as the experience of a coach are also important factors for the outcome. He developed a way to measure how satisfied each of us is with our personal life. These discoveries provide a powerful mathematical tool in the social sciences. Additionally he found that the axioms of logic set down by Plato and Aristotle are inadequate guide to think about the world in general and that logic alone is linear and is inadequate to deal with situations where there is feedback that makes the effects into causes that influence the effects. He felt that science has run into a myriad of problems where answers are unsatisfactory because of lack of such feedback. He believed that everything depends on everything else, even God depending on his creation, and thus hierarchic thinking that pervades all religions does not tell the whole story of how things are. One of his main concerns was that people should stop killing other people using force and violence and that all complicated political problems can be resolved with such analysis that includes the interests of all the parties involved and not just one powerful party that wishes to dominate.

He also developed solutions for the basic equation of stimulus response that governs our thoughts and actions and formed a solution for real, complex, quaternionic, octonionic numbers that form division algebras. He felt strongly that lack of understanding of the physical and psychological reactions we all have must be carefully interpreted in terms of how these numbers work to create such complexity of sensations and feelings and thoughts. He spent much time trying to understand how these numbers work physically.

He believes strongly that the human race had to change the way it did its self-expression and thinking to include not just words but also numbers that are so fundamental in our neural workings. He believed that we are part of nature and are in nature and not outside organisms that are here from nowhere just to experience and interpret what happens “out there.”
He is most curious about the meaning of numbers, not just the mathematical usefulness.

It is an honor to have known, even briefly, Tom Saaty, a one of a kind prolific grampa with a great sense of humor. We enjoyed his jokes John.

His last words to me were: "Don't ever look back. Look forward."

Truly inspirational, wonderful human being. You will be missed Dad.

Tom was a great mathematician, and had a beautiful mind. I was privileged to know him and to be a friend of him. We will miss him a lot.