Robert Redhead

I just learned of Mr. Redhead's passing and am sad. He was my Student Advisor at MSC and I took a couple of classes from him too. He was the most influential teacher in my whole educational experience (both undergrad and graduate). I will always remember that he had us do two things that were life altering for me: we had to write down what we wanted on our tombstone and also how old we would be when we died! Those ideas have been a life guide for me. I was also very touched when he...

I am writing this after writing Bob a hand written note today that is totally arcatic and totally his way of communicating.I was worried about why his phone was not accessable. I tried to communicate with him every month or two. I wanted to "catch up" as old friends. In our conversations, these past few years, he talked about his commitment to Ruth. He was dedicated to her beyond words.
He taught me temperance(Ha!),kindness, patience and above all the visceral and emotional understanding...

Robert helped to shape me into the person I am today- he was a huge, powerful guiding force in my life. I will never forget him, and will always have a special place in my heart for this amazing man. It is fitting that I just found out about his passing- I just saw "Life of Pi" last night and all I could think of is how much he would have enjoyed the almost textbook illustration of existentialism.

I majored in Socialogy because of Bob. As an older student, we would often banter regarding life. I will miss his laughter, his smile and his brillance in teaching. Fly with the angels my friend, until we meet again.

I cannot think of Bob without remembrance of who he was and what he opened up for me. A gentle man with patience and understanding for those of us he cared for, always telling us in so many ways, “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” (Marcel Proust) Bob did indeed hand me new eyes and the warning not to rely on just that one set. On my night stand, I keep a small, framed photograph of Foucault's Pendulum that Bob brought back...

Bob, delightful Bob...so many memories of his laughter and care for others. I remember assisting him here in Mankato when he was so ill..trips to and from the clinic...he adored my little girl. We enjoyed many, many wonderful evenings, talking and dancing in his home after dining with him in Minneapolis....prayers, blessings and love, Ruth.....Shari Wagner

I regret so much that I will be out of the country when the memorial service for Bob will be held. Bob was one of the people that I always enjoyed talking with, often seeing on the city bus or in the MSU hallways. We would chat about our mutual love of the humanities. He often was just back from or planning to go return to Paris or was in the middle of rereading Proust. I'm sorry that we didn't have the chance to collaborate more professionally and socially. I hope that memories of his...

Dr. Redhead was on of my favorite professors I feel very lucky to have had him as a professor. He was the kindest man that I ever new.

I met Bob 39 years ago this month. He had an immediate influence on me. He became my mentor and my friend. At his retirement party, I stated that I was blessed with two fathers: my biological father, and Bob, my intellectual father. I lost the former nearly two years ago; now I have lost the latter. He will alsays be in my thoughts.