Martin, I totally agree, and your remarks reminded me of the fact that my very first Twain paper at a conference was on a panel with Larry, whom I'd never met. Like you I was pleasantly surprised at his kindness; in the midst of my terrible anxieties and self-consciousness of being the lone grad student on a panel of experts. Here's another thing I remember, which he told me in one of our many conversations about the fairly recent book he did with Joe Csicsila, Heretical Fictions: he told me that he had painstakingly & systematically read "every page of every book or article listed in the bibliography." That impressed me, and actually shamed me a bit, probably because I honestly couldn't match him. What kind of person reads every page of every source?? PS: Larry and I often have disagreed wildly about all sorts of things, Twain-related and otherwise; but we always did so in the friendliest and most respectful manner; or at least, he did! Isn't it wonderful when adults can remain respectful and curious about others' opinions? Dr. Hal Bush Dept. of English Saint Louis University [log in to unmask] 314-977-3616 http://halbush.com author website: halbush.com ________________________________ From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Martin Zehr <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 9:21:16 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Larry Berkove Larry (He insisted) was very generous and encouraging to me in my earlier amateur Twain studies, something that always stuck with me. When I finally got to meet him in Elmira we had a chance to discuss our sagebrush-related interests, and his enthusiasm was infectious- that was HIS warning, and he was, of course, spot on. A sad day, of course, but I'm guessing I'm only one of many with a fond memory of his open support for a rank beginner in the community of Twainians. Martin Zehr On Sun, May 20, 2018, 6:20 AM Joseph Csicsila <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear Friends, > > Gail Berkove informed me that Larry passed yesterday afternoon. His funeral > service will be on Tuesday at Hebrew Memorial Chapel in Detroit. > > Joe Csicsila >