Fuer einen kleinen Vortrag, den ich hier am Montag halte, googelte ich gerade nach meinen ehemaligen Lehrern an UT, um sie einzuladen, obgleich sie sich vermutlich kaum an mich erinnern. Einer, der sich gewiss nicht mehr erinnert, ist der hier:

Richard Val LeClercq Richard Val LeClercq, 63, died July 29, 2005, from complications of acute alcoholism. He is survived by his son Noel LeClercq, San Marcos; daughter Desiree LeClercq, Austin; stepson Glenn Ross, Austin; brother Leon LeClercq, Los Angeles; and a host of ex-wives. Val was born in Los Angeles and received his Ph.D. from UCLA, where he swam butterfly and sang tenor in the Opera Workshop. He was hired by the University of Texas Department of English as their authority on poet John Milton. Val taught for almost 30 years, switching specialities to literary criticism and directing the dissertations of many bright English majors. Val was a talented pianist, and had a sweet tenor voice. He was a golden-ear hi-fi enthusiast who designed and built stereo systems. He brought enthusiasm and intelligence into each of his many projects, and somehow talked his friends into participating in each outlandish invention. His family thanks the English Department for its patience with his disease. The family plans a wake to celebrate his life and introduce his old friends to his children. Please call Terri for details of the Final A-B Test. The family hopes each reader will make out a will, right now. Memorials should be sent to Alcoholics Anonymous, North Austin 24-Hour Group, Austin 78758.

Sehr schoen finde ich die Formulierung "a host of ex-wives". War ein ziemlich schraeger Vogel, der Typ, wohl auch damals schon Alkoholiker, aber aeusserst unterhaltsam.

Edit: In einem obskuren Forum erinnert [hm, den Link habe ich wieder rausgenommen. Obskur ist auf den zweiten Blick eine Untertreibung] sich sein Sohn . Der zweite Satz ist gross:

Last night around 3 AM Richard Val LeClercq unexpectedly died. A tenured professor at the University of Texas, he retired years ago to take up drinking full-time.

The last time I saw my father was around 6 years ago, despite the fact he lived in Austin no more than twenty minutes away from my mother’s house. During that final visit w/the old man, we were asked to leave the restaurant we were eating at due to his drunken cursing offending the families around us. I was with my long-time gf who was meeting the man for the first time – he always did know how to make a first impression.

After my folks split ways during my 6th grade year, I only saw him a few times. Once, on a weekend visit during Operation: Dessert Storm, he freaked out and told us about these bombs that ignited oxygen, causing your breath to be sucked right outta yer lungs; killing you by either burning or suffocating you to death. I started crying and called my mom to come pick me and my little sister up (also in tears).

I always planned on going to see him again one day; you know, ask him all those father-son questions I never had the chance to. I doubt he had all the answers, but I’m sure he had some of ‘em.

Known best for his bombastic personality, cutting wit, booming tenor singing voice, and hatred for idiots, the man will be missed. Wish I could have one more hour with him…