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
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> > > message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and
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> > >
> > > 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.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>