If you’re a sentimental sort of person whose father died yesterday, you may want to keep alert for any unanticipated audition of Annie Lennox’s performance of “Into the West,” from The Return of the King, lest you dissolve into weepy sobs — as I did.
AKMA,
I just heard the news. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My prayers are with you and your family.
Laurel.
AKMA,
I hope this isn’t an invasion of your privacy, but I found your blog when I googled your father’s name, and I just had to post. I was one of his students at Chatham, and even though I have been in school for a million years and have had the honor of being taught by a lot of very brilliant, dedicated people, your father has had the biggest impact on me and is, by far and away, my favorite. My favorite class with him, without a doubt, was Analysis and Detection. I will never read a mystery story again without evaluating it according to his rules. We had a paper competition for the much coveted Sherlock Award, and when I won, I was ecstatic… not because I had wanted the award so much, but because I always wanted so badly to impress him. I don’t think there was ever a moment when I wasn’t in awe of his intellect. Chasing him around London was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had, and I was so emotionally touched by his poetry reading at Keats’ house that I promptly walked outside and fell spectacularly on the stones in the garden. Though I finised my degree in English, I am going to grad school for Anthropology, and my goal is to get my PhD and teach. If I can reach my students even half as effectively as Dr. Adam always did, I will consider myself a great success indeed. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am brokenhearted that I will never get to see him again, and I can’t imagine the loss you all must feel. He left a great legacy in my heart, and in the hearts of my classmates. He will be remembered fondly and missed.
Stacy
AKMA,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like your dad was quite an impressive man.
When my father died last summer, I listened to Into the West over and over.
May you receive the grace to know and feel God’s abiding presence as you grieve and may you find comfort in the expectation of resurrection.
Matt
I, too, discovered your blog while googling your father’s name upon hearing the news. He was a beloved professor who was brilliant, quirky and passionate. He instilled in me a love for all things found across the pond during my two weeks chasing him in London for Chatham Abroad. I’ve spent the morning reminiscing with fellow Chatty women about our many and varied memories over e-mail and IM, alternately laughing and crying over our favorite professor.
My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family.