In 1986, I travelled to my first Spenser at Kalamazoo, unknown and
unaccompanied, an ABD under way on my research. That first evening at supper
time, as everyone else seemed happily heading off with friends and companions
for a congenial evening together, I was standing alone and uncertain. Then,
bustling over, someone I'd never seen before came asking me whether I'd any
plans for supper--would I care to join his group at his favourite Kalamazoo
restaurant? I was dumbstruck. I had the fortune to return once again to
Kalamazoo spring 1999 and there was Jerry Rubio, once again, bustling as
ever, making sure all who were willing were invited to join together for food
and discussion after the daily sessions were done, at that restaurant and in
his own rooms after that. Meals with Jerry were always stimulating
experiences, full of good humour and intellectual stimulation, as well as the
work of furthering scholarly activities beyond the conference. But above all,
he was deeply concerned that everyone, newcomer or long time participant,
established scholar or unknown graduate student, feel completely at home at
the conference. I had no idea that that was the last time he'd be at
Kalamazoo; he seemed at hale and energetic as ever that spring. I shall ever
think of those Spenser sessions without remembering him as well, for he was
the epitome of the scholarly generosity and intellectual vigor for which that
conference is deservedly known. His loss is a loss not only for Sidney and
Spenser scholarship and intellectual vigor, but also to the genial spirit at
the heart of the gathering: like Chaucer's Host and Herbert's, too, Jerry
Rubio was one of the prime contributors to the geniality of spirit that
infuses this conference, making it stand out among scholarly conferences for
its unique combination of stimulating debate and genuine welcome to all,
established scholar and unknown student, long time particpant and newcomer
alike. Jerry and Spenser at Kalamazoo will always remain inseparably
intertwined in my memory as representing the best of what the acadamic life
has to offer.
Arthur Upham
Ph.D.,
McGill, 1996
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|