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Paul Harvey Obituary

Paul B. Harvey, Jr. April 16, 1945 July 13, 2014 Paul B. Harvey, Jr., 69, of Bellefonte, died in Italy, a country he loved, on July 13, 2014. He was an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, the Department of History, and in the Jewish Studies Program at Penn State, and was a past Head of CAMS. He was born on April 16, 1945 in Orange, CA to the late Paul B. Harvey and June Masin Harvey. After graduation from Santiago High School in Garden Grove, he left California to continue his education in the East. He received his B.A. in Classical Languages from Oberlin College in 1967, and earned a Ph.D. in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972, with additional graduate study at the University of Pisa. He joined the Penn State History faculty in 1972 and later that of CAMS, after its formation. He contributed journal articles, essays, conference presentations, and co-authored and edited works in the fields of ancient Republican Rome, Roman religion, and early Christianity. At the time of his death, he was working on editions and studies of the writings of St. Jerome. A valued colleague to his fellow faculty and to departmental staff, he was also a superb teacher of both undergraduate and graduate courses. He was extremely proud of the graduate students he advised and mentored who went on to successful academic careers. In 1997, he received the University Alumni Teaching Fellowship Award. Paul loved classical music; gardening, particularly tending to his lilies; and, especially, swimming every day. If it were possible for a human to develop gills, he would have been the first. Blessed with an acerbic wit greatly appreciated by friends and colleagues, he was also kind-hearted and generous, always willing to help a good cause or anyone who sought his counsel or aid. He also had a very large soft spot for animals, indulging his wife's penchant for adopting an astonishing number of cats and dogs over the years of their marriage. He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Karen; his sister Gretchen of Salem, OR; his two brothers, Mark of New Plymouth, ID, and Jonathan of Auburn, CA; his nieces and nephews; and his faithful greyhound Titus. He is greatly missed by all of them. A Requiem Mass will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, Bellefonte, with Fr. Christopher Pyles, rector, as Celebrant, at a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) or Nittany Greyhounds (www.nittanygreys.org).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Jul. 24, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Harvey

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Michael Blanco

July 18, 2024

I have a book coming out next month that Paul and I used to talk about collaborating on. I would not have been able to write it without Paul's superb guidance as my thesis advisor over 35 years ago. Thank you again, Paul.

Michael Blanco

July 18, 2023

On the anniversary of Paul´s passing, we remember and are thankful for how he touched our lives.

Mike Reese

February 12, 2015

I am saddened by my professor's passing. I will never forget him.

Mike Yourchak

February 4, 2015

Professor Harvey was a good guy, and a heck of a teacher of Latin. I guess for being a one of a kind scholar, I most enjoyed talking to him about the movie Bolt, and the origin of the word hunky. Thank you, Professor, for everything. You made Penn State special.

Nicole Curry

November 3, 2014

3 days ago,I was stunned and deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Harvey's passing in July. I had tried to contact him in June, but he evidently had already left for Rome. Back in June, I remember truly missing his exceptional wisdom, quick wit, great sense of humor, genuine charm, and impeccable humanity, which is why I had tried to reconnect with him at that time. For the rest of my life, I will continue to cherish and also share all of my very rewarding and inspirational memories of Dr. Harvey and his wonderfully wise, witty, charming,gallant words, gestures, and other endearing qualities, with my own students, friends, family, acquaintances, and perhaps even a few strangers as well. Clearly, the world is lovelier because of Dr. Harvey and his enduring influence in our lives through our memories of him.

Bob Frakes

September 16, 2014

I will miss him. He was a great person with wide-ranging intellectual interests.

Cathy Creswell

September 15, 2014

It may be a cliche but Paul was an original - I will miss the intellectual knowledge and curiosity. He was someone you could discuss any issue with and the conversation would be insightful - and fun. I believe Paul helped others to think more because he was able to explain the other side of the argument. I met Paul working as a graduate student in history at Penn State. While I was not in the Classics Department, I learned a lot from him and always appreciated his counsel.

Judith Evans Grubbs

July 28, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of Paul's death. I TA'd for him for a Roman history class at Stanford more than 30 years ago and that class provided the blueprint for the classes I have taught since. I always meant to thank him for that and regret that I will not have the chance.

July 28, 2014

I only knew him for one semester in my junior year at the Centro in Rome in 1986, but that was such a wonderful experience. He and Karen made a lasting impression on me, they were both so funny, sweet and kind. He was a wonderful teacher and person, I am so lucky to have crossed paths with him even briefly. My love to the family. - Virginia C. Pardo

Brian Freeman

July 28, 2014

Paul was the professor-in-charge when I was at the Centro in Rome in fall, 1985. He was a true scholar and gentleman. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.

Jaime Jamison

July 28, 2014

Dear Karen,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I have a stack of papers Paul sent me over the years. Often he sent them after we had laughed our way through a conversation on some entertaining, quirky aspect of Roman civilization and the Latin language. The photocopy in front of me is EVIL DEEDS IN LATIN: a brief glossary. I'm smiling as I think about the conversation that inspired him to send me this. He was always kind and helpful to me in my student days, and seeing and speaking with him then and since always brightened my day.

Rev. Kathryn Macek

July 28, 2014

I knew Paul in high school. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with his family.

Jessica Banks

July 28, 2014

I delighted in the grad work I did with Paul, every moment of it sprinkled with his invaluable expertise and that barely suppressed twitch of a smile. I learned so much from him, and felt his caring guidance as a student. In fact, after the birth of my first son, he addressed me as "madonna", which added something indescribable to the first few months of motherhood. He will be greatly missed, but his work and his students stand as legacy to an amazing man.

July 28, 2014

KAREN, MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS,

MYRNA

July 27, 2014

Everyone here at Nittany Greyhounds will miss him. We are shocked and saddened to hear of this devastating news.

Robert Shirey

July 25, 2014

I enjoyed the great conversation Paul and I had prior to our daily swim. His humor and wit will be greatly missed.

July 24, 2014

I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Paul's passing. I worked with him for many years in the History Department. He looked out for the staff and always had time to talk to us. I remember how much he loved living in Bellefonte and he spoke often of his animals. He also had a great sense of humor. Paul will be missed by many. I want to offer my deepest condolences.

Robin Robinson

July 24, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Harvey's passing. I had the great privilege to work with him and he was a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed in the Penn State community. May your memories give you comfort in the days ahead.

Robin Robinson

July 24, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. I had the great privilege to work with Dr. Harvey and he was a wonderful, caring person. There are no words that can express how much he will be missed in the Penn State community. May your memories give you comfort in the days ahead.

Michael Blanco

July 24, 2014

Some 25 years ago, Professor Harvey guided me through my doctoral dissertation. He was incredibly attentive to my progress and success. When I would submit drafts, he would have them back to me within days with helpful comments. He was ever ready to meet with me and always had an encouraging word mixed in with a wry comment or two. From the perspective of his students, he was an icon and will be sorely missed.

Rhonda Decker

July 24, 2014

Sorry to hear of Paul's passing. He was such a caring person and will be greatly missed.
May your loving memories bring you strength, comfort, and peace. My deepest condolences,

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