The Saint Michael's College community is reeling from the horrific loss of John Reiss, who was killed in an accidental shooting on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd.
Professor Reiss came to Saint Michael's in 1968, joining the English department and teaching American and British literature. He retired in 2002, but taught a course last semester in the first-year seminar program, and had stayed connected to the campus and his colleagues.
John Reiss was an extraordinary teacher, known for being rigorous and challenging, while also being encouraging, witty and open-hearted. His quiet, handsome demeanor hid a wealth of learning and intellect. He won the Joanne Rathgeb Outstanding Teacher Award in 1998. He published literary criticism on the works of Dickinson, Hawthorne, Melville and others.
The principal fact I've had reinforced about John Reiss in the 24-hours since his tragic, untimely, senseless death, is that he was a person of rare kindness, intellect and collegiality. A person devoted to his wonderful family, as well as to his colleagues and his students.
This is not a full accounting of Professor Reiss's contributions to the climate and intellectual life of Saint Michael's College. I refer you to the wonderful article that John's good friend and colleague Will Marquess wrote for the Summer 2002 issue of the
Saint Michael's College Magazine. (We can send you a copy of the story, if you need one.) Here are several quotes from the article:
John's colleague Liz Inness-Brown said,
"When you ask John whatever it is you have come to ask him, he listens so hard, as if your request or comment or idea is the most valuable thing he has heard all day. And when you leave, you always leave with a single thought in your head: I wish I could be more like him."
About supporting his young colleagues, Professor Marquess wrote,
"Nick Clary, professor of English, remembers Reiss's influence on his first visit to Saint Michael's in the winter of 1969. 'His kindness to me and his general character were deeply impressive. My decision to take the job offer was largely a matter of thinking that John was the kind of person I would be very happy to have as a colleague.' George Dameron, who joined the history department in 1983, had difficulty adjusting to his first year of full-time teaching: 'John was always available to give me advice, answer my questions, share lunch ... and provide me with the history of the institution that was now employing me.' Jeff Ayres of the political science department since 1998, said, 'John was the key lifeline in helping me get established here. He instilled a great deal of confidence in me and in my abilities to teach in the first-year seminar program, and helped convince me of my fit at this small liberal arts college.'"
Similarly, David Mindich, professor of journalism and mass communication, said this week that John Reiss sent him six or more hand-written notes of encouragement during his first years on campus, notes that made all the difference in helping him feel comfortable at Saint Michael's.
A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Professor John Reiss in the St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Essex Center on September 26, 2008. Professor Reiss's friend Will Marquess gave the eulogy.
--Buff Lindau