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DAN ISAAC Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for DAN ISAAC
Susan Willerman
March 16, 2024
Thinking of you dear Marina
Susan Willerman
Bill Freedman
March 17, 2022
I met Dan in 1960 or so, in the PhD program at the U. of Chicago, and we remained friends in at least periodic contact (I moved to Israel, he to New York) until he died. He was one of a kind. Unique, eccentric -- even that in original ways, and always special, always fully alive, thinking and learning. Always Dan, and I miss him. I'd also like to use this to send my very warm regards to Marina, hoping, if she sees this, she'll get in touch with me. She's pretty special herself, and I'd love to hear from her. I wouldn't want this site to display my email, but I'd like Marina to see it. Thanks.
Ellen Fine
April 3, 2013
I first met Dan at a Modern Language Association conference when I found out he had written an article on an author I was working on (Elie Wiesel). He sent me the article and that was the beginning of a deep friendship. We exchanged ideas,and articles (our own and others). I went to Dan's plays, those that he wrote and those of Tennesse William's that he discovered and edited. He invited me to openings of plays and screenings of movies. When Marina was old enough, she came with us. Dan was provocative, an original thinker. He was also a wonderful friend, sympathetic and supportive in times of need. I will miss him. We will all keep his memory alive but especially it is Marina who will carry on his legacy.
April 1, 2013
Dear Marina,
Your father was an amazing man in so many ways. And he loved you and your bright spirit deeply, you could see it whenever he talked about you.
I spent interesting time in his company, and valued his passion for Tennessee Williams and the work he brought to light.
My sympathy and thoughts are with you.
All my best wishes,
Susan Willerman
Beverly Gross
March 28, 2013
Graduate school seemed horrible. The classes couldn't have been duller, especially the required Bibliography and Literary Historiography taught by the sepulchral Prof. Bond. We spent much of the term examining footnotes in the current issue of PMLA. One footnote was the citation, Unwin, p. 345. Prof. Bond leaned forward, asked devilishly what was Unwin's first name, paused, and then called on Mr. Isaac.
"Was it Joe?" was Dan's response.
That act of resistance, satire, buffoonery gave us (though not Prof Bond) our first moment of laughter. It was my first real glimpse of Dan who remained a source of joy to me through graduate school, the Queens College English Department, and my early years in New York.
A wonderful man. He could inject life and laughter where life and laughter seemed impossible.
March 27, 2013
I have such a fond memory of your father, Marina. When I worked at Ensemble Studio Theatre, each year I would ask the members to let me know what food they were bringing to the Holiday Party, and each year I would get a call from Dan saying "I'm going to bring a nice rye bread." And he did. For some reason, it always made me smile. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
March 25, 2013
Dear Marina,
Although we never met, I offer my sympathy on the loss of your father.
Bernice Hunt
Bill Freedman
March 25, 2013
I've known Dan (still using present tense, I see) for 52 years, since we met at the U. of Chicago, where we both did a PhD in English. We stayed in touch ever since and saw one another once each year, when I returned from Israel for the summer and stayed overnight on a sofa cleared of a dozen book and newspaper filled boxes for the occasion. I'll miss Dan. He was like no one else, one of a kind. A very quirky kind in some ways; that was part of what made him special, but there was a great deal more. Dan was extremely bright, very engaged, and passionate -- mainly about things one ought to be passionate about and perhaps a few one needn't be. But most importantly, he was all sweetness, goodness and kindness, without a detectable bad bone or sinew in his body. He was also broadly and deeply curious, a scholar and researcher about more than Jewish theology or English literature: about political conspiracies, for example; he loved them. But also about ancient Greek, which he took up in his 70s, when most of us are busily losing languages, and which he painstakingly studied, learned and read. He was also a wonderful father--Marina is living testimony to that, Dan's finest legacy and one any of us would be proud of. And from her 18th month on, he did it all alone, with tenderness, dedication and boundless love. A very special man,
he leaves a large empty space.
Lois Smith
March 25, 2013
What a lively, blessed, independent spirit, and Marina, you are another. It's a privilege to know you both. My condolences and love to you. Lois Smith, New York City
Myron Bassman
March 25, 2013
Sheila and I are saddened by Dan's passing. Since we moved to Philadelphia, we lost touch with your father. I liked him a great deal. His passion for T. Williams opened another world for me. I'll never forget the night we rented a WWF event on cable. Congressman Nadler and his son Michael, you and your father and Sheila and I were there. Only you, Michael and I watched the bouts. Everyone else wondered elsewhere to chat and wonder about us. I miss his passion, his insights and his humor (especially about the Cubs).
Marina Isaac
March 23, 2013
Sitting Shiva for my amazing father. Rabbi,Critic, husband, scholar, professor, Son and Friend.
L Goins
March 23, 2013
Dan and Margret are together again. RIP
Dan and Jack at 2009 World Series
Jack Ott
March 23, 2013
One of the most interesting people I have met, a great friend, and a loving father. I will miss him a great deal.
SML
March 22, 2013
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this most difficult time. Please be assured that God will help you cope with the heavy weight of your loss. “Blessed be Almighty God who daily carries the load for us.” Psalms 68:19
March 22, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I know losing a loved one is hard to go through. I will keep you in my prayers. May you draw close to God at this time.
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