I came to Elmira 2001 at the invitation of Kent Rasmussen, but it was only when Tom graciously asked if he could publish my talk on Dr McDowell and McDowell's cave that I felt that I was credible. It was an absolute joy to learn so much from Tom as he edited the piece for the _Mark Twain Journal_. Tom treated everyone with equal respect. He was always willing to pretend that we knew more than we knew, and that we were teaching him something, when he taught us all so much.

At Elmira 2005, I stood with everyone else and gave him a standing ovation for his receipt of the John S. Tuckey Award. Two months later, I found myself in Charleston, giving a "Mark Twain and Medicine" presentation to the Waring Historical Society at the Medical University of South Carolina. Much to my surprise and delight, a cross-town delegation from The Citadel, including Jim Leonard with a bunch of English students, came into the medical school auditorium. And who seated himself front row and center? Tom Tenney, of course. With Margaret. I was honored, to say the least. And embarrassed, a little, when Tom told me that he had come "to learn a little something about Mark Twain." I doubt that he learned anything from me that night. But I learned something from Tom. I learned that I need to try to be more like Tom Tenney, every day of my life.

Pat Ober

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alan Gribben
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dr. Thomas A. Tenney

Dr. Thomas A. Tenney (1931-2012), best known for editing the MARK TWAIN JOU=
RNAL but also recognized for his assistance to younger scholars, died yeste=
rday at 3:45 p.m. of heart failure after a brief stay in a Charleston hospi=
tal.

Dr. Tenney received the John S. Tuckey Award from the Center for Mark Twain=
 Studies at Elmira College in 2005.  He was the author of MARK TWAIN:  A RE=
FERENCE GUIDE (1977) and its various supplements, along with numerous other=
 publications.

There will be a private family service at a later date, according to his wi=
dow Margaret Tenney; no public funeral will be held.

Before his death Dr. Tenney made arrangements for the continuation of the M=
ARK TWAIN JOURNAL.

Sincerely,
Alan Gribben=