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JEAN LE CORBEILLER Obituary

LE CORBEILLER--Jean. Died November 13th at age 83. Born in Paris, France, he graduated from Harvard University and taught for many years at the Seminar and Lang Colleges of the New School for Social Research. Predeceased by wife Clare, he is survived by daughter Suzanne Le Corbeiller and partner Anne, daughter Genevieve White and husband Anthony, and grandchildren Jesse, Graham, Mia and Simon.

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Published by New York Times on Nov. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for JEAN LE CORBEILLER

Sponsored by Dana Norvila.

7 Entries

Karen Collins

December 14, 2010

Jean greatly impacted my life through his teaching. He showed me how truly extraordinary knowledge can be. My thoughts are with his family.

Mark Statman

December 13, 2010

Jean was a wonderful colleague, a great mentor, and a beloved teacher. He was learned and witty and always good for a conversation about anything in the universe. Deepest condolences to his family,

Reed Karen

December 7, 2010

Jean Was a great teacher and a great guy. He could teach more about the Humanities in a Calculus course than most could in a Humanities course. I was an addict and took every class he taught between 1976 and 1980--Linear Algebra, Bach Cantatas and I've thought about things he passed on ever since. And I still use his technique for cooking Ratatouille (Keep the vegetables separate until the end). He turned hicks like me into intellectuals. Thoughts go out to the family.

Jocelyn Lieu

December 7, 2010

Dear Suzanne, Genevieve, Anne, Anthony, Jesse, Graham, Mia, Simon, and Jean's other family and friends....

I'm so sorry for your loss, which I just heard about after a friend forwarded me the notice in the Times. Jean was my dear calculus teacher at the New School, in the old Freshman Year Program in the late '70's. Calculus was the least of what he taught me. In any given class we might hear him chuckle, then gracefully go off (how did he manage to make each digression seem absolutely necessary?) on Shakespeare or the golden mean or some other equally rich tangent.

How I loved to hear him talk! He taught us to honor our imaginations--taught us that thinking, the act of thinking, is intimately tied to daydreaming; that scientific thinking is creative thinking. Moreover, he taught us to love elegant solutions--to love beauty and elegance in general. He also taught us the incredibly important lesson that while everything might not be known, it is knowable. I remember one story of his, about his riding on the bus and hearing a mother speak to a child in a language he didn't know. I still can hear his voice: "But of course I knew what she was saying." We would have, too, he said, if we'd been there with him.

Thirty years later, a writer and professor myself, I like to tell my students that the most important writing class I ever had was calculus. Jean was a great teacher. He inspired so many of us. He helped me be who I am, and for that I'm grateful.

My very best to you during this sad season,
Jocelyn Lieu

November 16, 2010

Uncle Jean was a special part of my life growing up, and always made my family feel welcome when we visited NY from New Orleans. Haydie and Viv, please call me as soon as you can; I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Chrissie

Steven Grossman

November 15, 2010

Jean gave me the gift of critical thinking when I attended his courses between 1983-1986. Never had I been so stimulated to expand my mind as Jean helped me to open my eyes. And his ever-cheerful, knowing countenance greatly comforted, even as I struggled with calculus for a year under his patient instruction. Thank you, Jean. I couldn't have done it without you.

My heart goes out to the family. A man like Jean will grow even larger in your hearts. He yet lives on in memory.

Steven Grossman

Jenny Tuten

November 14, 2010

Jean was one of the most inspiring teachers I ever had. As a student in the FYP and Seminar College he challenged me to aspire to more, with his passion and extraordinary sense of beauty.

My thoughts are with his wonderful family,

Jenny (Levine) Tuten

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

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