John Varriano

Thinking of you, John and Wendy, and cherishing the memories of our short time together.

Dear Wendy I'm just now reading about John. I want you to know how much James and I enjoyed the times we spent with you and John. Glad to see there was another briard in your lives.

I often think about John and the lessons I learned from him while teaching. He was a caring friend and a supportive colleague. A brilliant but humble Professor and Scholar. He enriched my life and showed me how it is done.

Sadly did not know of John's passing.
A great scholar who enlightened us all.
Bill Eisler (Penn State art history doctoral program, 1983)

Dear Wendy

Not sure you remember me and my husband Guido. We had the good fortune of meeting you both in the States and then in Treviso, Italy maybe five or six years ago. We had lunch together near the old walls in Treviso during a hot summer day. Then we saw John at a Duke University conference in 2014 where he gave a splendid talk. I just learned today, looking for one of Johns's essays, that he passed away months ago. I am speechless. Such a great gentleman and a great scholar....

Dear Wendy, my heart goes out to you. I have such lovely memories of John's joie de vivre and deep compassion for others. His brilliance in all things. The perfect complement to your own.
I will be holding you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear wendy... I am so sorry to hear about the passing of John in January. I was lucky to have known John from 1986 till ... through mhc art classes, him being my advisor, being a photographer for him for his novel on rome, meeting on the piazza di spagna. .. his presence, grace, whit, humor and his great mind will be greatly missed. All I can say is, John, your influence has always accompanied me from the days of mhc all the way to paris. Bless your soul. Un abbraccio mio amico. . My heart...

John Varriano was my excellent advisor and good friend - my heart broke when I heard of his passing. I hope some day to revisit his office in the hereafter and gather some more of his unparalleled insight, charm and kindness. I am so lucky to have known him.