Matthew H. Elbow

The Elbow family appreciates all the kind words and thoughts being expressed about Matthew. There will be an opportunity to join us in celebrating his life at a memorial service on Monday, November 21, 2005 at 2 P.M. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 262 State Street (mail 85 Chestnut St.), Albany, NY 12210 (518) 436-8544.

I was very saddened to read of the passing of Professor Elbow. He was a GREAT teacher, fine leader for peace and an excellent human being.
He is the one who first introduced me to the Middle East as an area of study and helped me extensively in my career as a history teacher. I shall never forget his wisdom, academic knowledge and great generousity. We will not seek the like of this man again soon.
Please let me know when the memorial service will be.
John Kienzle

Meine liebe Susan,
unsere herzlichste Anteilnahme am Tod Deines verehrten Vaters möchten wir Dir in Aufrichtigkeit aussprechen. Auch ein gesegnetes Alter ist kein Trost für den Verlust eines Vaters und wir schließen Dich in unsere Arme und in unsere Gedanken ein. Unser aufrichtiges Beileid tu bitte auch Deiner verehrten Mutter kund sowie Deiner Schwester und ihrer Familie.
Remembering you in our thoughts and prayers,
allerherzlichst Deine Chrischi und Roselie

Dear Meg, Margaret, and Susan,
I was very sorry to learn (via an e-mail from my uncle Mel Boulton) that Matt had died. Although I did not see him nearly often enough in the last few decades, I have always held him in deep affection and the highest regard. As the only other historian in our extended family, and the only professor in the generation above mine, I also looked to him as a role-model. While I cannot claim to have achieved his levels of generosity or effectiveness in working...

I remember meeting Dr. Elbow at Bethlehem Central High School's annual awards ceremony in which he honored me with the Anne Gibson Memorial Award, in his daughter's memory. The encouraging words he said to me will not soon be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this good-natured and kind-hearted man.

Very sorry to have read the obituary in the NY Times today. We were classmates at Paterson Eastside High School until Matthew moved to New York. We also shared an orthodonist. Jane may remember me. Leonore and I send our sympathy to all the family.

Dear Meg, Margaret & Dad, and Susan,
We will miss Matt. He was truly a kind, gentle man. We are so thankful for our trip out to Delmar in June 2004. I only wish there had been many more visits like that. I loved the expression my brother, Rick, shared. It reminded me of Matt, also. Our love and prayers are with all of you.
Kim, Randy, Grace and Silas

Dear Margaret, Meg and Susan,
I recall Dr. Elbow as a favorite and highly respected professor of my Kappa Beta fraternity brothers at SUNY Albany.
When I was teaching at Bethlehem Junior High School, I also had the privilege of knowing him in his role of father. It was always my pleasure to talk with him and be buoyed by his good humor. It was clear that his daughters were the benefactors of having a loving and concerned mother and father. During this difficult time, may your...

Dearest Margaret, Meg and Susan,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I am honored to have known Matt, truly one of the most genuine, kind and gentle people I ever met. Thinking of him today brings to mind a quote that I would like to share from William Ellery Channing:
"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently,...