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. > > > > > > > > >