Stewart Zeph

Zeph Stewart was Senior Tutor at Adams House when parietal rules were still in effect. One night, well after the unofficial bell tolled, I was escorting my fiancee through the back halls to the exit when we encountered Zeph. He looked at his watch, smiled at me, and asked if I wouldn't introduce him. I admired him so much I took a course far from my own field just so I could study with him. He helped make Harvard a glorious intellectual experience for me. I regret I let the years pass without...

One Saturday night, in Claverly Hall, Lowell House, i got an unexpected call from a man I had grown to love: Zeph Stewart. Zeph knew of a prize I might compete for given my classical training, and would I not perhaps apply. I did. I won. I dearly needed the cash prize, and the recognition did not hurt, either. Zeph gave his all to Harvard, and I am sure there are countless others who got such calls from Zeph. God bless and keep Zeph.

I lived in Lowell House when Zeph was the House Master. He made the Harvard living experience a wonderful one for me. From High Table, to dinner with Michael Tilson Thomas, to an always friendly demeanor toward every Lowell House resident, he was a remarkable person. And I think that virtually every one of the 450 or so residents of Lowell felt the same way about him. I'll never figure out how he accomplished that. Zeph was one of the great ones. I'll miss him.

I am sorry I did not know earlier -- I missed the obituary in the Globe and only saw it in the Gazette this week. I first met Zeph Stewart when I was the assistant registrar at the Fogg Musuem; I think he had just arrived at Harvard and brought in an object for expert opinion. He was wonderful to me during my years at Sardis, attending all the lectures in Washington, even to the extent of going to Crystal City! He and Diana offered pleasant hospitality at the Center for Hellenic Studies. I...