Jetse-Sprey-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Maher-Melbourne Funeral Home

Jetse Sprey

Willoughby Hills, Ohio

Oct 24, 1925 – Jun 1, 2019 (Age 93)

About

BORN
October 24, 1925
DIED
June 1, 2019
AGE
93
LOCATION
Willoughby Hills, Ohio

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Maher-Melbourne Funeral Home Obituary

Jetse Sprey died peacefully on June 1, 2019 at the age of 93. He was born October 24, 1925 in Arnhem, Netherlands and grew up in Hilversum. His teen years under German occupation in WWII were a key part of his identity. He was drafted into the Dutch Army in 1945 and stationed in Java. When he...

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Dr. Jetse Sprey was a memorable scholar, charismatic teacher, and inspiring conversationalist. In graduate school, he taught the contemporary theory course with great depth and a critical eye, challenging us to expand our thinking. Because of Jetse, I chose a specialty in marriage and the family, eventualy studying 80 couples who met on the internet, and writing a book about online relationships. In later years, after my graduation and then his retirement, I had the opportunity to visit...

I have many memories of Jetse at the preconference workshop and am grateful for the central roles he played in founding it and keeping it going. He was an approachale, attentive conversationalist on many topics, including theory and its applications for real world issues. We shared a love for cichlid tropical fish. I am sad to learn of his death and glad to reflect upon him as a person and scholar. I am glad to have known this stellar person. When I encounter the goodnes that he was, the...

Sarah and all,

My first experience with Jetse was in fall 1972 when I began grad work at Case. His theory courses were legendary, rightly so for imploring critical analysis and introducing recently translated European scholars. His office revealed him through his collection of aquariums and books and his warmth. He was a quiet and forceful mentor. For the past 15-20 years I enjoyed dinners with Jetse and Sarah in their Willoughby Hills home and/or Thai lunches in Cleveland. Always...