François André Camoin

All I can say is, back in "those days," he was my best friend. Tennis, poker games, trips to Vegas. Long nights talking. The best of friends.

It´s unthinkable that I´m just now finding out about Francois´s passing and also unthinkable that he is no longer with us. Francois was an important presence in my life for a short time, but he was greatly valued and appreciated as an intellect and as a human being. My condolences to his family.

I knew Francois back in the 1970's when I was a PhD in English with emphasis in creative writing at the University of Utah. In 1982 when I was teaching at McNeese State University in the MFA program in creative writing I had Francois in as a visiting writer and he was an inspiration to my MFA students in fiction writing. We had a wonderful time. I interviewed Francois and I still have the half hour tape. My wife Linda thinks that Francois was quite the dashing person.

I took two creative writing courses from Francois in the late 1970s when I was an undergraduate majoring in journalism. Those were two of my favorite classes and my fondest memories of being a student at the U. I went on to become a journalist, then a professor of media and journalism, and am nearing retirement myself. I have never forgotten Professor Camoin or what I learned about writing and about myself in his classes. My deep sympathy for his family. Janice Peck, Denver Colorado

It's sad knowing that I will not see Francois again, but he will remain in my heart always. His humor, strength and kindness will never be forgotten. My sympathy to Shelley and the family.

The wisest, most generous, and kindest of teachers, who became a beloved friend. I learned much from him, as a writer and a human being.

My deepest condolence to those who loved and were moved by Francois. He was a master writer and a friend who shared his great laugh and devious ideas. He is admired by many and envied by even more.

Hands down my favorite person at the U. Introduced me to Marguerite Duras and many others.I took his classes even if I didn't need them for my major, just to hear him muse in his weary, beautiful, hilarious way. I have so many cherished one liners. As a young person, I had rarely met adults I wanted to turn into. But after Camoin. I was excited to know that a well read, kind, world weary, funny, roundedly intelligent future awaited!