Jay Luke Robinson

Jay was my mentor, dissertation director, and friend. He was the man who offered me wisdom, knowledge, opportunities, and kindness through my graduate student days and beyond. I know that his ideas live on in all of us who had the honor of working with him and those whom we've taught and those whom they've taught. I thank Machree and all of his family for sharing Jay with us--my time with him was a gift for which I will be forever grateful.

I first met Jay when I was invited to interview for a job in the U-M English Department in December 1974 at the MLA in Chicago. I walked into a hotel room and sitting on the side of the bed in a row were three men in dark suits--Jay, Marvin Felheim, and Russ Fraser. Jay was chair of the department and mentored me through the next several years. Jay was a gentle, soft-spoken man with an interest in music and a strong sense of social justice. He and Machree had myself and my late wife over...

My heart is heavy with loss. Jay Robinson was an esteemed teacher, a skillful mentor, and a true friend to me over almost thirty years. So much of the work and so many of the projects I've pursued can be directly traced to Jay's wise, gentle influence. May Machree, his children, and his grandchildren find comfort in their memories--knowing how much Jay loved and appreciated his family.

Jay was an important friend and mentor to me during my nine years at Michigan and afterwards. I will miss this true gentle man and his wisdom. My love and sympathy go out to the family and to all the rest of us whose lives Jay touched in such important ways.