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Passing of an old friend
Bill Bailey, a former prof. of speech communications at U of Arizona, commented here with some regularity. His last comment, May 22, is here, another here. A couple of exceptional ones here.
I'd known Bill since around 1974 or 75. I've been lucky to know a lot of folks with above-average brains, but he certainly had the most versatile intellect I'd ever encountered. A fellow who could offhandedly tie together politics, statistical theory, psychology, communication theory, philosophy and much else in an organized and completely logical manner. Last saw him at dinner at his place a few weeks ago.
This morning I was told by his daughter Elisa that he'd passed on, an emergency open-heart surgery that didn't end well.
I don't think I'll know his equal again.
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think I ran out of room, Northwestern where he got his Masters Degree. Then to Arizona, where he got his Doctorate.
Since 1993 we have managed to get together several times, besides he one trip back for our 45th class reunion, when he brought his lovely daughter, Elisa. I had talked to him at length on the morning of our 55th class reunion. He never mentioned going in for surgery. But I did manage to get 2 more emails to him before he passed away.
I wish everyone could meet someone like him. What a void there is in my life now and I'm sure yours as well.
I was one of Bill's students (class of 1995) and was inspired immediately. He broadened my intellectual horizons in ways that I could only dream of. Because of him I read Campbell (follow your bliss), Watts, Church and even gave Salinger another try (with wonderful results). I hadn't seen him for many years but e-mailed with him regularly. I knew of the cataract surgery but not about any heart problems. Because of him I am an academic today (for better or worse). He is my hero. My heart aches.
Thank you for the chance to say something about our friend Bill. The Giese household has lost a friend, my husband has lost his compadre' to discuss hunting and life's issues with, during our time in the mountains. The world has lost one really intellectual man and Eliza has lost her dad, to which I can attest to feeling the pain of "not being someone's little girl anymore". I always enjoyed my talks with Bill, I'm no PHD, no degrees and just smart enuff to make it thru the School of Hard Knocks. But that never mattered to Bill, he could talk with anyone about anything. We will miss you Bill, the mountains will miss you, along with all those who knew you. Lanette & Butch
Bill Bailey was my teacher, my mentor, my friend. He was the first person to believe in me. He saw something in me that no one else saw and because of him I became a professor, an author, and a better person. I loved Bill Bailey and I try to be the kind of professor to my students that he was to me. I too came from a working class family and I think he saw a kindred spirit in me. My life was enriched because of "Bailey" as he preferred to be called. I will continue to "pay it forward" in his memory. My heart aches for his loss.
I wish I could have met you. I went to school with Bill Bailey for 12 years. I was a friend then, but as teenagers seemed to be, I didn't realize his intellect. When he came home for our 40th class reunion, we felt a bond. I called him Dr. Bailey, much to his dismay.
Bill came from a loving, family, with a sister 8 or better years older and a brother about that much younger. He father worked at the local nursery. He never wanted for anything but never had a lot of extras. I never knew that he went to the Navy so he could get an education. He went to the University of Illinois for 4 years on the G.I. Bill. Then he went to Northwestern to get his