ETHELBERT COURTLAND BARKSDALE

Dr. Barksdale was my favorite professor at UF by far. I enjoyed his courses on Russian literature. He not only taught us but made it fun- not an easy feat. He entertained us all with silly and imaginative jokes as well as took us all on a trip through time.

Land Barksdale was the kindest and most considerate human being I have ever known. I still carry around with me in my billfold a note written by him on the hotel note paper in Baltimore, Maryland, where we shared a room and travel expenses in behalf of the University of Florida, while attending the SAMLA Convention, Nov. 2002, the weekend before Thankgsgiving. Here is what he wrote:

WELCOME!!!
Hal,
SHEILA camE BEcauseE I'vE BEEN SICK. I aM OVER THE CONTAGIOUS PART. SHE...

I was saddened to hear of Land's death. He was a friend of my dad when we lived in Columbus in the 1960s.

I first met Land when I was perhaps 5 or 6. My brothers and I always looked forward to his visits. He brought us goofy gifts wrapped in newspaper or bags, which he would help us unwrap, always loudly exclaiming why we would love his gift. He bent down to our level and told us funny stories and strange facts that would just make us giggle. We all liked it when Land came to visit!...

I just read about Land's death in the Ohio State Alumni magazine. He and I were on a Russian language study tour of the Soviet Union in 1966, back when the Soviet Union was still the Soviet Union. Throughout our nine weeks on a Soviet ocean liner and in the Soviet Union itself, he was the source of a constant stream of quips, jokes and hilarious commentary. I vividly remember his carrying around a glass Coca-Cola bottle, and refilling it throughout Russia, noting that although it was...

Land was a true humanist, an authentic human being, a great colleague, and a friend in need. I will miss him very much. Sasha Burak, LLC Assistant Professor, UF.

I am extremely sad to hear of Land's death. I first met him in 1967!!!!!!! He was an extraordinary person. The world is definitely a poorer place without him. My deepest condolences to his family.

Land was the most unique individual I have ever known. He was the kindest, noblest spirit on this earth. Land's great intellect and passion for literature will always inspire me. I will miss him terribly but his spirit will forever roam the halls of Dauer. My prayers are with Sheila and his family.