William Theodore De Bary

Condolences to Professor Brett and the family, out of respect for this distinguished leader in his field, and his powerful actions in enabling people in the 'Western world', especially the English speaking world to see the greatness of East Asian traditions and civilizations.

In memory of a great man. A great intellectual, a great friend and a great father indeed a great human being. His legacy will live forever.

As a result of my spending the evening with William, as described in my prior memory, I started reading in the oriental civilization series and years later over dinner with my Stepson suggested to him he might want to study Chinese history, because he loved history, but felt European and American history was overcrowded. He did and as a result became a professor of Chinese history.

Condolences to his family, especially Brett.

To the Bary Family: My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

We are the son and daughter of the late Prof. You-lan Feng of China. We met Professor de Bary at Columbia University in 1982 when he hosted our father who travelled from China to receive an honorary degree from Columbia, his alma mater. We don't think we ever adequately expressed our gratitude to, and admiration for Professor de Bary. To his family and friends, we send our deepest condolences.
Chung Liao Feng, Mill Valley, CA
Zhong-pu Feng, Beijing

Though I never had the privilege of meeting Professor de Bary, I heard much about him from his students. And I was heavily dependent on his works, not only for what they taught me particularly about Confucianism in its various forms, but because year after year I assigned them to my own students in Chinese history. He was a giant, with an extraordinary range of learning and a deep concern for those whom he taught. My condolences to his family and friends.

Professor de Bary was the truest of teachers. The seminar I took with him at Columbia, "Nobility and Civility," was one of the catalysts in my personal outlook and development. What I learned there still shapes my thoughts on what it means to live with meaning and authenticity. He absolutely changed the course of my life, and I am so grateful to have known and learned from him. My deepest condolences to his family for their loss. Rest in peace.

Professor de Bary was a transformative figure through his rigorous scholarship and his dedicated promotion of Asian literature. He had a remarkable effect on my life: first, through his two-volume source book of seminal Asian texts. Their literary charge broadened my college kid's understanding of Asian religions and cultures. Later, Professor de Bary served as a consultant to The Translation Center when I was its executive director. There, too, he brought literary translations that gave...