Travis R. Merritt

For a time, Travis Merritt was my advisor at MIT (back in '82 or '83). He gave me the confidence to major in Humanities while stretching to take advantage of other opportunities at MIT. Although he joined ESG after I'd graduated I was pleased when I heard that he had done so.

He's one of my memorable figures from my time at the Institute.

Travis always showed me nothing but kindness. Growing up, when uncle Travis spoke to me he spoke to me only. He had a way of giving me his undivided attention even as 11 cousins spun in and out of his view. His heart and warmth will be missed. My love and condolences to Grace, Lisa, Amy, and Susannah. I'm so sorry to not be there today.

Travis's poetry class in ESG will always be a part of my soul. I took it as a freshman 6 years ago, and I still remember that crisp autumn day that the entire class walked down to Harvard Square to buy the compilation of poetry at a bookstore there.
Travis wrote me a letter of recommendation for medical school four years later, and I am now a third year medical student in Boston. He was, is, and always will be part of my memory, as one of the professors who really made a difference in...

I first met Travis when I was still a pre-frosh, hadn't even applied yet, and he let me sit in on one of his classes. That warm and friendly atmosphere I found through Travis was what motivated me to apply and eventually go to MIT.

He's touched so many lives... He will be missed.

I shall remember Travis for his kindness and generosity of spirit. He was also the epitome of charming. So it should come as no surprise that MIT's annual 'Charm School' was his brainchild. It's now so firmly established, that I suspect many people aren't even aware of his hand in this. Travis contributed much to the MIT community and he will be missed but remembered fondly by many. Eternal memory.

When I arrived to teach at MIT, 20-odd years ago, "Uncle Travis" was a mentor and warm friend. His devotion to students was unwavering, his sense of homor enlivening, and his style remarkable at all times. He had much to teach me about how to teach. I keep bumping into people who were in his classes years, even decades ago, and remember them warmly.