Tributes to Professor John Roderick (1944-2007)

Arthur Auten, Professor Emeritus and Former Dean of Hillyer College

John was one of the first faculty I recruited into HillyerCollege, then known as theCollege of BasicStudies, when I arrived as dean in 1981. I still remember his youthful enthusiasm, soft voice, andcourteous behavior of that day. We stayed in touch all these years, and I shared his joy in 1984over his designation as New England Poet of the Year.

He and little son John joined me and my familyfor dinner at our house. A teacher of strength and effectiveness, John was also skilled at a "soft"approach to his students. I witnessed this out of class when he read an original, heartfelt poemabout his father to a mixed group of students and faculty in the Student Union one afternoon. A tearwas in everyone's eye. Poetry, music, literature, creative writing and person-to-person empathy were all part of John Roderick. Students, young and old, felt indebted to him for his inspiring teaching, hishumanity in bringing out the best that a person had in him.

The 1996 Larsen Award and national recognition as a "Professor of the Year" pleased him equally as a man dedicated to his University and also to the broader world of learning and creativity. John, you will be truly missed. I am a better man for having known you all these years, and the University was fortunate to have hadyou as one of its

brighter lights. Memories of your warmth, brilliance, caring, creativity and humanity will be with us always.

Roger Desmond, Professor, School of Communication

John was a generous man who taught me a lot about how to teach journalism and creative non-fiction. I will miss his gentle style, and his patience with students and colleagues. His students will miss his friendly criticism, his dry sense of humor and his willingness to listen to them. He had a way ofexposing the sometimes ridiculous flow of university politicsby getting his opponents to laugh with him. He leaves a large empty space on our faculty.

Ray McGivney, Professor of Mathematics, A&S

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend John Roderick. I remember well the difficult financial period that our university experienced in the early 1990s. During that time I had several occasions to be in John’s company. In every case, his was a serene voice of confidence and reason. In every case I came away with a renewed sense that, indeed, we were going to make it.

At times as this I’m reminded of John Donne’s Meditation XVII, part of which reads “Any man’s death diminishes me for I am involved in mankind.” In John’s case, I feel especially diminished.

John was an exceptional teacher, an accomplished scholar, a dedicated citizen of the University, and most importantly, a prince of a man. It was a privilege to have known him.

William L. Stull, Professor of English, A&S

We often say of people we admire . . . and slightly envy, “S/he has a talent for happiness.”

John Roderick had a greater and more enviable talent. He had a talent for the happiness of other people.

John’s gift for happiness extended to his students, his co-workers, and his colleagues. Your good fortune, whether hard-earned or dumb luck, was his delight. His smile was as guileless as an infant’s and as knowing as the Buddha’s.

In academic life the perks are modest and the competition fierce. John put matters in perspective. How many times I bellyached to him about inconsequential trivialities. He lent an ear, smiled beatifically, and left me feeling lighter on my feet. My big beef was a meatball.

When I think of John, I see his smile—and his guitar. He owned a quality instrument, a Martin, I believe, and he played it well. He loved the writings of our most lasting contemporary poets, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. He sang “The Boxer” with a slugger’s soul, and everyone who heard him sang along.

John lived two-thirds of the life he should have lived. As a teacher, writer, and musician he was just warming up when the curtain fell. “Cruel, cruel, the rain and the wind,” Bob Dylansings in “Percy’s Song.”

I’m going to listen for John’s song, watch for his smile, and celebrate the lucky fact that I crossed his path for twenty-five years at the University of Hartford. He was . . and is . . . a man whose happiness is always ours.

Interim Provost Joseph Voelker

"John Roderick wasa wonderful colleague. Hisinfluence was felt not only in HillyerCollege but also in the School of Communication.John understood that the Universityis stronger when its schools and colleges pool their talents and work together."

Marcia Seabury, Professor of English and Chair of the Department, Hillyer College

"John has been a true friend, a trusted and valued colleague, and a wonderful department chair and college leader. He leaves a lasting legacy in the countless students whose lives he has touched and whose creativity he has nurtured. We all will miss him greatly."

Lynne Kelly, Professor and Director of the School of Communication, A&S

“John Roderick was a half-time faculty member in the School of Communication for over 25 years, teaching courses in the Journalism emphasis. He was best known for his teaching of Creative Nonfiction, The Editorial and Feature Story, and Magazine Journalism. For our master’s program he developed a special topics course called The Corporate Writer, which was very popular with the graduate students.

“John was a master teacher and his students loved and respected him. In his quiet way he conveyed true passion for his subject matter. He was at heart a writer—he not only loved to write but he loved to teach others how to write. And he did so year after year with great success. His legacy is the gift of writing well that he gave to so many students.”

Don Ellis, Professor of Communication

“He was always a calm and respectful voice that everyone listened to. John was an inspired colleague who always found a way to bring people together. He will be missed.”

William Major, Associate Professor of English, Hillyer College

“Our offices were next to each other, so we got to know each other very well.For me he wasn’t just a wonderful colleague – he was my mentor. He was just an all-around terrific guy.

“His door was always open. I know that students would seek him out. He had a great impact on students.”

Sandra Katz, Professor Emerita and Former Chair of the English Department, Hillyer College

“John had a wonderful sense of humor and a very gentle soul. The students adored him and worked hard for him. He loved the kids and they could tell.

“John loved literature and he loved poetry, but he also loved technology. It was an interesting combination. He was very interested in many different things. But his great love was writing.”