Thunder struck. My deepest sympathies to Michael's wife Ann, and to all who were his close friends. Words fail, as they always do, but whenever I'm devastated, I turn to Twain's words on the death of Jean. They got me through my brother's death, and it doesn't surprise me that Michael shared them--and the emotion they rouse--in the classroom with his students. He was never afraid of what matters, and he embraced the things that truly matter. The first time I met Michael personally was at the joint Mark Twain Circle / American Humor Studies Association conference in New Orleans. At one panel, I listened in horror as a speaker presented what he said was a radical and unprecedented theory, talking at warp speed, mostly cobbling together ideas that had been argued better elsewhere, willfully misunderstanding and lambasting Twain scholars, some of whom (I don't think he realized) were in the room, listening. When the question and answer period came, I braced myself, but it was Michael Kiskis who spoke up, with the quiet, soft voice I'm sure he used in the classroom, leaving students straining for every word. Michael gently commented on the one or two original parts of the presentation, offering strong suggestions for pushing those ideas in a fruitful direction, then listing off some of the pertinent work that might be helpful, and finally suggesting quietly and specifically what the young man might find interesting and useful in the scholarship --some of which the speaker had misread and dismissed--but Michael graciously did not point that out. The tone was set, a collective sigh was released, and the conference moved on, focusing on what mattered. When I talked with Michael about it later, expressing my appreciation for his tact and supportive grace, he said -- well, any number of people in the room could have shredded him, but what would have been the point? Fish in a barrel. The challenge was in turning what was interesting into something much more interesting. A challenge we can all take up. I'll be in Elmira for the next 6 days. If there is anything I can do, I will. Sharon ________________________________ From: Mark Woodhouse <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Sun, May 8, 2011 8:48:25 PM Subject: Michael Kiskis With great sorrow we announce that Michael J. Kiskis passed away today, Mother's Day, in Binghamton, New York after suffering heart failure. He died surrounded by his caring and devoted wife Ann, friends and family members. He was beloved and he was one of those rare individuals who knew how much he was loved and he loved in return. Those of us who were among his friends recognized that he was and will always be our greatest gift. As Twain said we are thunder struck by his loss. As plans are made for a memorial celebration of his life, information will be shared. Ann Ryan, Laura Skandera Trombley and Mark Woodhouse -- Mark Woodhouse Head of Technical Services College and Mark Twain Archivist Elmira College One Park Place Elmira NY 14901 607 735 1869