Here is Hal’s obituary, just out in  the St. Louis  Post-Dispatch.  Reminds us of all the many reasons we'll miss him so. 

https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/hal-bush-slu-english-professor-and-writer-dies-at-age-64-after-traumatic-fall/article_e57aa30a-44b7-5266-ac17-89f7f9062add.html



> On Aug 18, 2021, at 6:40 PM, James E Caron <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> words don't work
> a hug for Hiroko
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 1:28 PM Kenneth Sanderson <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> 
>> He was a man, take him for all in all, we shall not look upon his like
>> again.
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 3:55 PM Linda Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>>> I add my voice to all you who have expressed your fond remembrances of
>>> Hal.  He was a very special man and we all have been the richer for
>> having
>>> known him.  But even in this sadness, it is heartening to be reminded of
>>> how much we feel connected to one another over the years and the miles.
>>> It’s a remarkable community.
>>> My heartfelt sympathy to Hiroko.
>>> 
>>> Linda Morris
>>> 
>>>> On Aug 18, 2021, at 1:04 PM, L Oggel <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Sad, sad news. I remember many conversations with Hal. I second John
>>> Bird's
>>>> comment--guitar strumming at conferences. And Gregg's comment, too:
>> It’s
>>>> hard to imagine the Elmira confab sans Hal.
>>>> 
>>>> Terry Oggel
>>>> 
>>>> On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 12:42 PM Matthew Seybold <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> 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
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This message and any attachment are intended solely for the
>> addressee
>>>>>>> and may contain confidential information. If you have received this
>>>>>>> message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and
>>>>>>> attachment.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not
>>>>>>> necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email
>>>>>>> communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored
>>>>>>> where permitted by law.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>> 
>>