Paul Fussell

This is late, but so was my published tribute to Dr. Fussell, out this week in various news outlets. As a former Army officer and current journalist, Paul Fussell's writings influenced me deeply in all my professional endeavors. I did not always agree with him, but am very grateful American culture had him for 50 years. Since I can't submit copyrighted material, here is a link to my column on him:

http://portlanddailysun.me/index.php/opinion/columns/7303-the-irascible-mr-fussell

Very respectfully,

Telly Halkias

In the late '50's and early '60's, shortly after he came to Rutgers, I had the good fortune to be a student of Paul Fussell's in a range of courses from a small freshman Honors Seminar to his graduate seminar in Augustan Literature. He was the best teacher I ever had, not only because of his brilliance, but also because of his intellectual incorruptibility and the discipline he demanded of his students ("Late papers are never acceptable.") His criticism could be withering, but his praise was generous. As a mentor, he was invaluable to me, virtually insisting that I publish a seminar paper I wrote for him and helping me to do so. He set the example I aspired to emulate throughout my own academic career, and for that I am immensely grateful. It was a privilege to know him.

Fussell was a great classroom teacher. I was fortunate enough to have him as my freshman English teacher and then later as my teacher of 18th-century British literature. He fully engaged the class and made every meeting an exciting intellectual experience. His death is a great loss.

Paul Fussell: His personal military history was included in the US Army leadership manual in the late 1980s. His insights on combat made a tremendous impact on me, and I used his "lessons" in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I continue to use his "lessons" as a US History teacher today. I will never forget what he taught me about real combat and how good life is!