John C. Coldewey

I'm surprised and saddened by the news that John Coldewey is gone. I had the pleasure of being one of his students at the University of Washington for both a Shakespeare class and a Chaucer class. Both were excellent because John was able to open up the language of the time to us all. Middle English was something John opened up to us - like learning a foreign language, and I learned that the people of that time laughed at the same things we do nowadays. I wish I could thank John again for the...

When I consider all of the teachers I have had throughout my education, Professor Coldewey stands out as the best. He was so passionate and joyful yet he demanded excellence and much effort of us. He somehow was able to create lectures that were academically challenging and very, very fun. He was also modest and gracious. When I saw him at a garden store many years after graduation, I approached him to say thank you for being such a great teacher. His warmth and genuine interest in my...

I just found out that Professor Coldeway passed away or I would have posted something earlier. I took at least two classes from John in the '90s. He was learned, enthusiastic, and kind. He helped me find my passion and want to become a teacher. He was always more than willing to visit during office hours and seemed genuinely interested in spending time with his students. He will be missed.

"Just when in England is there a drought in March that April rain's need to pierce?" After making the entire class memorize the introduction to Cantebury Tales and come to his office one by one to recite it in front of him, he then asked us: "well what does it mean?" It was the beginning of a great undergraduate course.
Before taking his class I had met Dr. Coldewey at our common friend Bill Matchett's home on the Hood Canal a few years earlier. I was one of those students who took a gap...

I loved the medieval drama course from John Condewey during my graduate years at UW (PhD 1987), and to this day when teaching poetry to undergrads, I illustrate a DOUBLE DACTYL with "Christopher Coldewey."

On behalf of his cousin Gail's family, please accept our deepest condolences.

A truly remarkable professor during my graduate school years. It was my pleasure to work for him, for a time, at MLQ, and to have him on my dissertation committee. Mary Baker, UW '91.

I had John for a drama class in 1975. It was my first encounter with Luigi Pirandello, Sam Shepard, and Tom Stoppard. I took full advantage of his generous office hours to discuss drama and life. He was an important influence for my early (and lasting) love of the theatre.