Among the many contributions Hal made to Twain Studies was digging out of
the archive what is, to my ear, Twain's finest poem, "Broken Idols," a
meditation on grief: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/ncl.2002.57.2.237

*Matt Seybold, PhD*
Associate Professor of American Literature & Mark Twain Studies
Scholar-in-Residence, Center for Mark Twain Studies
Editor, MarkTwainStudies.org
Host, The American Vandal Podcast
<https://marktwainstudies.com/the-american-vandal-podcast/>

Peterson Chapel Vestry, Cowles Hall
[log in to unmask]
MattSeybold.com
<https://www.elmira.edu/>


On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 3:11 PM Nathaniel Williams <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> I’m saddened and my thoughts go out to Hiroko, the family, and all the
> Twain scholars Hal helped over the years. He was such a generous guy. I
> feel lucky to have known him (and I really enjoyed his novel The Hemingway
> Files—a fun read and another aspect of his far-reaching legacy of literary
> scholarship).
>
> [sent from phone]
>
> > On Aug 18, 2021, at 11:41 AM, Peter Messent <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Hal, and wish Hiroko and
> other family members our deepest sympathy. When we were collaborating on
> the Twain-Twichell letters, Hal shared his just-published book about
> authors and parental grief, Continuing Bonds with the Dead, a book stunning
> in its insights. We enjoyed our conversations over the years and at Elmira
> conferences, and know the whole community of Mark Twain scholars will mourn
> his passing.
> >
> > Peter Messent
> > Steve Courtney
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Gregg Camfield <
> [log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: 18 August 2021 05:29
> > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Hal Bush
> >
> > I had no idea when discussing with Hal his study of loss, grief, and
> recovery, that he would force us to exercise his wisdom in dealing with
> losing him.  It’s hard to imagine the Elmira confab sans Hal.
> >
> > Gregg
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> >> On Aug 18, 2021, at 6:41 AM, Bird, John C. <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >>
> >> This is a sad loss. I have been following Hiroko's updates as she
> dealt with the ups and downs of Hal's treatment. Hal will be remembered for
> his excellent scholarship, especially his work on Mark Twain and religion.
> But we will also remember him as a lively and fun loving friend. His guitar
> playing added to the comeraderie at the Elmira conference. We will sing to
> his memory next summer. Rest in peace, Hal!
> >>
> >> John Bird
> >>
> >> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -------- Original message --------
> >> From: Joseph Csicsila <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Date: 8/18/21 6:50 AM (GMT-05:00)
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Hal Bush
> >>
> >> Hiiroko Bush shared early this morning that Hal died last night. A
> memorial
> >> service will be scheduled for November.
> >>
> >> Joe Csicsila
> >>
> >> CAUTION: This message originated from an external source
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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> > where permitted by law.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>