When it comes to colleagues, Vern was as good as it gets. Knowledgeable, insightful, kind, generous to a fault. It was a delight to watch him mentoring our youngest colleagues, the graduate students, and to see him calming, with forcefullness and tact, the sometimes raucous theoretical dogfights in the eighties. Some of the happiest moments of my professional life were spent in the company of Vern Williamsen, and the world of comedia is a poorer place without him.

David Gitlitz

----- Original Message -----
From: "calisto2000" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:12:54 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: Tristes noticias: Vern G. Williamsen




Los trabajos del Maestro Williamsen han sido cruciales para mi investigación sobre el verso dramático. Descanse en paz. 
Saludos afectuosos. 


De : "COLOQUIO: TEATRO DE LOS SIGLOS DE ORO" [log in to unmask] 
Para : [log in to unmask] 
Cc : 
Fecha : Thu, 31 Jul 2014 04:55:12 +0000 
Asunto : Fwd: Tristes noticias: Vern G. Williamsen 


> Nb: this is extremely sad news. 
> 

> 

> 

> 
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone 


> -------- Original message -------- 
> From: Amy Williamsen 
> Date:07/31/2014 3:54 AM (GMT+01:00) 
> To: Sharon Voros , "S.P. Garcia" , Mancing Howard , Charles Ganelin , "Ellen M. Anderson" , Ellen Anderson / Tim Wiebe , "Campbell, Gwyn" , Donna Campbell , "Bruce R. Burningham" , Ben Gunter , Harley Erdman , Valerie Hegstrom , [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], Isaac Benabu , Bob Johnston , "Larson, Catherine" , Catherine Connor , "Lauer, A Robert" , "Weimer, Christopher" , Barbara Mujica , "Emilie L. BERGMANN" 
> Subject: Tristes noticias: Vern G. Williamsen 
> 

> 

Dr. Vern G. Williamsen, founding member of AHCT, passed away at his daughter’s home in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, after a prolonged illness on Tuesday, July 29 th surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Clara, his brother Paul, his daughters Amy and Tora, and his two grandsons, Erik and Pablo. He remained sharp and lucid until his final moments; his love for the comedia and his fellow comediantes never wavered. In fact, on Sunday evening, he spent a pleasant hour animatedly conversing with a new friend who had just discovered the comedia through the introductory chapter to his Twayne book on the minor dramatists, which included what our father considered one of his most important contributions to our field: his insights into the dramatic structure of the comedia . He will also be remembered for his artful translations of Spanish classical theater and his pioneering work to make comedias available online. 



In a letter he wished to share with friends and family, he summarized his life as follows: 



Who would have expected that the skinny little know-it-all pest whose greatest dream was the seemingly impossible goal of becoming a teacher could possibly accomplish what my luck has brought me? I have lived a longer and more productive life than most others I have known and I wish you all the same fate. Just remember that I was able to pursue two basic interests in my life, Spanish Language and Literature and my first love, Music and, at the same time pass on those interests for generations to come. I have not died since my spirit ripples on into eternity. With love to all, Vern 



In accordance with his wishes, we will schedule a celebration of his life later this year in Tucson, Arizona where he earned his M.A. from the University of Arizona, studying with the indomitable Miss Ruth Lee Kennedy. After retiring from the University of Missouri Columbia, he and his wife later retired there, spending over 22 years in the Old Pueblo. In lieu of flowers, our family requests that donations be made either to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro or AHCT ( www.comedias.org ). 
> Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have already written us, and to those of you who have kept us in your thoughts. Please share this news as you see fit. 
> 
Abrazos fuertes, 
> 
> Amy 

-- 

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Amy R. Williamsen, Ph.D. 

Department Head and Professor of Hispanic Studies 
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
2332 Moore Humanities and Research Building 
336-334-5725