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Dear Roger, Tom, Bo, and all ---

The interview from 2015 and Bo's recent message are great holiday gifts to all of us.  I am particularly touched, because my acquaintance with Tom dates back to 1962.  He was quite young then, but he already had about him that signature style, both friendly and formal, that he has carried so long.  He knew me as a most callow youth, very unsure of his path, and he was encouraging without disclosing much of himself.  Harry Berger once observed to me that Tom was "a great ironist," and when we think of how allegory and irony are allied, perhaps we understand how Tom was drawn to Spenser (and to Petrarch, and to Shakespeare).

Tom discloses a great deal of himself in the interview, especially in the story of his studying with C. S. Lewis.  Lineage is so important in scholarship, as in the transmission of religious authority.  Some irony attaches to what he says of the Princeton scholars in his days as a graduate student.  Certainly, he learned little from R. R. Cawley, the director of his dissertation: I suppose Tom was eager to define himself against the narrow-minded model of scholarship that Mr. Cawley presented.  But R. P. Blackmur, who was an outsider among the senior English professors, was a friend, and D. W. Robertson.

Many thanks are due to Tom Roche, to Bo Smith, and also to John Carroll University for being hospitable to the two of them and their teaching.

Sincerely,

Jon Quitslund

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, 8:19:10 AM PST, Joel Davis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


Wonderful news -- and thank you for sharing it with us.  I have been wondering about Tom for some time.

Joel B Davis
Nell Carlton Professor
English Department (Flagler 203)
Stetson University
421 N Woodland Blvd Unit 8300
DeLand, FL 32723
386.822.7720






On Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 10:41 AM Barbara Brumbaugh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

​Dear Tom and Bo,


Thank you for this lovely update.  I'm delighted to hear that you are both still a beloved part of the JCU community and that Tom has such a devoted caregiver.


Thanks to Roger as well for sending the interview.


Barb Brumbaugh

From: Sidney-Spenser Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Anne Prescott <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2018 9:23 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tom Roche
 
Thanks, thanks. A set of emails to treasure. Happy 2019 to you all! Anne

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, Anderson, Judith H. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear Tom and Bo,

 

I’m so happy to have this update and to know that you “muddle through” so wonderfully.

 

Warmest,

 

Judith

 

From: Sidney-Spenser Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Thomas Roche
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2018 8:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tom Roche

 

Dear One and All -- and a particular hello to Roger Kuin whose email prompts this one, 

 

Tom Roche, who will be 88 on April 19, has been in and out of hospitals and briefs stays at a wonderful nursing home (to regain his strength post hospitalizations) since April 2017 when he had three small strokes (followed by bouts of C. diff) -- the most recent this past November. He did not suffer any paralysis or speech damage. He is quite frail, and dependent on a wheelchair, and his brilliant intellect and sharp observations have faded a bit, but I still take him in to our classes at John Carroll University where he is loved and admired by students and staff.

 

He loves to eat lunch daily at a small restaurant near JCU where a particular table is reserved for us, and he enjoys two glasses of diluted wine and whatever meal suits his fancy. Other than glancing at the newspaper, he doesn't really read or write any more, but likes to follow the news via CNN. We're together 24/7, and I am his only caregiver. He's never left alone. We muddle through day by day, and remain grateful to have navigated a day without mishap or health challenge. Our classes remain the first ones to fill up each term, and our favorite recent student evaluation -- in answer to the question: What will you most remember or appreciate about your professor(s)?was "I was pleasantly surprised how intelligent Tom and Bo seemed." As Tom said, "Ha, we tricked 'em again."

 

We moved to our present address a little over a year ago in order to be in a house with no stairs, and we have some beautiful big windows that Tom loves to gaze at the world with. Our address is 5281 Dogwood Trail; Lyndhurst, OH 44124.

 

I am attaching a photo from Tom's 86th birthday when students and staff surprised him with a cake, balloons, etc. He was thrilled, and as you can tell by the icing around his mouth, he had as much fun as a two-year old having a blast.

 

Much love and blessings to each of you during this season and in the New Year. Tom doesn't "do" email anymore, but, of course, I print out for him everything that comes his way and try to respond accordingly.

 

Great affection,

Tom and Bo

TOM AT 86.jpg

 

On Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 4:07 AM Roger Kuin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

For those who, like me, have had no news about Tom since Julia Walker’s death, here is something that will make you rejoice: https://www.hercampus.com/school/jcu/bo-smith-and-tom-roche

 

Roger

 

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