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Edward Alexander Obituary
Edward Alexander was born December 28, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, to Harry and Sadie Alexander. He was the oldest of three brothers. His love of writing came early, as a sportswriter for Samuel J. Tilden High School. He was a lifelong baseball fan, and Jackie Robinson was his childhood hero. He first met his future wife Leah when they were college students. He graduated from Columbia University and completed his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, along with Leah, whom he married on July 3, 1958. They had a daughter, Rebecca, in 1960 and that same year moved to Seattle, where he began what would be a 44 year career as a professor of English literature. While on sabbatical in London, England their son David, was born.
During his prolific teaching career in Seattle and Israel, he mentored numerous young scholars, published books on Victorian literature, Jewish history and culture, and the state of Israel, and wrote countless essays, editorials, and book reviews. In 1974, he co-founded the Jewish Studies Department at the University of Washington. He was an influential Jewish thinker not only locally but worldwide, known for his fierce sense of justice, and his willingness to take unpopular stands. His friend Bernard Harrison says "the loss is immense, not only for [family] but for us others out here, strewn across the map, who loved, respected and valued him. It is not every life that leaves such a gap when it ends, and in so many parts of the world."
Edward was a generous friend, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His beloved wife Leah passed away in 2017, and that loss took a terrible toll. On August 22, 2020 he passed away in his sleep after a two month struggle to recover from surgery. He is survived by his two brothers, Arthur and Morton, his children Rebecca (Carlo) and David (Priscylla), his grandsons Philip and George, his great granddaughter, Adalynn, and his dear companion and long-time family friend Sylvia Stern.
Donations may be made in his memory to Jewish National Fund, Elisabeth C. Miller Library Fund, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Alexander
Sponsored by The Family.
15 Entries
Duane Kelly
February 14, 2021
One of my favorite professors at the University of Washington. In his classes - this would have been the early 1970s - he gave me an appreciation of the deep and unsettling intellectual crosscurrents in the Victorian era, which continues to inform my thinking and writing today.
NICHOLAS O'CONNELL
September 18, 2020
He may have had the world's most magnificent eyebrows, but I remember him above all as erudite, witty, and a strong advocate for the arts and literature while a professor at the University of Washington and a member of the National Association of Scholars, where I worked with him. I will miss his charm, keen intelligence and wicked sense of humor, especially with regard to the PC nonsense currently in vogue on university campuses. May he rest in peace!
David Alexander
September 5, 2020
This is my father on his 83rd birthday, which was also the seventh night of Hanukkah, December 28th, 2019. His two children, Rebecca and David, are behind him. To his right is his great granddaughter, Adalynn, and he is holding his grandson, George.
David Alexander
September 5, 2020
Edward Alexander, celebrating his mother Sadie's 98th birthday. Grandson, Philip, to his right and wife, Leah, to his left.
David Alexander
September 5, 2020
My mother and father on my mother's birthday, in 2011.
Jeanne Eisenberg
September 4, 2020
Edward Alexander was unswerving in his support for the Jewish people. I felt honored to know him and his wife, Leah. They were my mentors in speaking out for social justice.
Sandy Silberstein
September 4, 2020
When I came to UW in 1982, Eddie was one of the first people to welcome me. While we certainly didn’t agree on many things, he had no trouble separating the personal from the partisan. He was a loyal colleague who kept in touch long after he retired. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Bruce Borrus
September 2, 2020
Edward was an advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. He was also a friend and teacher.
Xiaowei Fu
August 29, 2020
Edward Alexander is a life-long mentor and close friend to me though we only communicated through emails. I came to know more about the Jewish people through his works and his deeds. He will be in my heart forever.
Rebecca
August 29, 2020
Rebecca
August 29, 2020
Rebecca
August 29, 2020
Judy Lash Balint
August 29, 2020
It's the rare professor who allows his students to become his friends. I'm one of several students who had that honor since the 1970s. I treasure the friendship with the Alexanders that was filled with humor, integrity, moral courage and commitment to our people. We are fortunate that we have his writings to perpetuate his legacy.
Ross Posnock
August 29, 2020
A great American intellectual and a generous colleague and friend to me and my late wife. A most memorable character.
Sylvia Stern
August 28, 2020
He brought me happiness, joy, and love. He was my best friend and I will miss him greatly. Sylvia Stern
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