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It's been a rough week the last few days, so I'm going to take the time to give myself some joy and say, Happy Birthday, St. Olaf College! My alma mater was founded on this day 137 years ago, and I'm gladder for it than I can ever really express.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Prof. Rich DuRocher of the English department at St. Olaf College, from cancer, at the incredibly young age of 55, yesterday. Rich was my professor on my Ireland interim in 2006, and you couldn't have asked for a more passionate, enthusiastic professor or a more caring, kinder man. I was particularly struck by his still-fresh grief for the death of his daughter Helen several years previously, and my heart goes out all the more to his wife Karen Cherewatuk, also a professor of English at St. Olaf, and their other daughter.
While we were in Ireland Rich actually told us how he and Robert McNamara, the former secretary of defense, were third cousins. Robert McNamara lived to the age of 93, proving once again that only the good die young. The rest of us, and particularly the St. Olaf community, are that much poorer for Rich's loss.
While we were in Ireland Rich actually told us how he and Robert McNamara, the former secretary of defense, were third cousins. Robert McNamara lived to the age of 93, proving once again that only the good die young. The rest of us, and particularly the St. Olaf community, are that much poorer for Rich's loss.
As killing as the Canker to the Rose,
Or Taint-worm to the weanling Herds that graze,
Or Frost to Flowers, that their gay wardrop wear,
When first the White thorn blows;
Such, Lycidas, thy loss to Shepherds ear.
--John Milton, Lycidas, 45-50
Or Taint-worm to the weanling Herds that graze,
Or Frost to Flowers, that their gay wardrop wear,
When first the White thorn blows;
Such, Lycidas, thy loss to Shepherds ear.
--John Milton, Lycidas, 45-50
