Stephen Arkin

Every year it is hard to believe. I had the good fortune to meet Steve purely by chance on Market Street as I sat in a café, looking out people watching, when I recognized him. Even though it had been over 20 years, he was unmistakable. Thankfully, I called out his name, and we had a chance to say hello and catch up. God granted me that moment. Months later, he became ill, and that cup of coffee we had promised to get could not happen. At least I got to see him stride powerfully down...

Miss you bsolutely every day, dearest friend on earth. I've been going throiugh our voluminous correspondence (to be included in my archive sat the University of Vermont) but have to do so in tiny doses, so overwhelming is the feeling of missing you.

Steve Arkin meant a great deal to me. I gave condolences to his family in 2022, but wanted to remember him again here because I miss him. He was an elegant, kind, and insightful professor, whose good opinion I sought and whose practical advice was priceless to me. He cared about his students lives and work and critical thinking skills. He even officiated at their weddings. I regret that covid interfered with alumni gathering for another memorial. Some of us are still working on this, and will...

My deardst friend for 55 years, I will miss you till the minute I follow you. Every day, I see something amusing, poignant, contemptible, admirable, and I think, "I gotta call Muddy" (as we called each other). Will love you ad perpetuam.

May his memory be blessed. We miss him and think of him often, and as said by so many, missed. Any of us who had contact with him either as a student, a friend, a colleague, knew the richness of that connection. Zichrono Le Bracha. (Hebrew for may his memory be blessed)

hardly two years, still a shock, though should not be. we are not stones standing... nor sea-beds... Miss you, boss, at least even into middle age you suffered my questions and observations and answered honestly. I hope there is a justice in the universe and place you will enjoy. ( I am skeptical... must say...)

I had Professor Arkin for Irish Lit and a couple of other classes. What a wonderful professor. I teach college English now and I can appreciate even more how great he was in the classroom. His intelligence and wit made his classes fun and informative. RIP, Professor. You will be missed.

In 1997, I was accepted to medical school, conditional on passing an English course prior to matriculating. I had the great good fortune to take Professor Arkin's Irish Literature course and still remember his boundless enthusiasm for the subject, his ability to generate lively discussion, and his warmth and approachability. I have kept all the papers I wrote for that class, and still appreciate the thoughtfulness he put into the feedback he gave me. He was a gem.

I had Professor Arkin's class in 1967 when he first arrived at SFSU. Coming from the East Coast, he did not know how to pronounce Salinas. The entire class called out the correct pronunciation in unison. He was a very kind man and an excellent teacher.