Julian Markels Obituary

Markels, Julian
Julian ("Bear," "UB") Markels, June 24, 1925-July 22, 2021, the oldest child of Alex Markels and Frieda Wolfberg, was raised during the depression years in Chicago's south side. Those were glad times, shared with his brother Charles and his sister Miriam. Julian served in World War II as a US Army medic, most memorably as one of the liberators of the death camp at Buchen-wald. Upon returning home, he was educated at the Universities of Wisconsin, Chicago, and Minnesota, where he earned his Ph.D. with honors. He then began a long and influential career at Ohio State, joining the Department of English in 1956. He taught there for thirty-six years, serving with distinction as chair of the department from 1976 to 1983. He was a much-beloved teacher at all levels, directed the research of scores of graduate students, and developed many new courses, helping to inaugurate, among other things, successful models of team-teaching. Julian published over two dozen major scholarly articles, in areas ranging from Shakespeare, to American literature, to Marxist political discussions, to literary theory. Among his five books are The Marxian Imagination, Melville and the Politics of Identity, and From Buchenwald to Havana: The Life and Opinions of a Socialist Professor. Among many university duties outside the department, he was a member of the Faculty Council and served for seven years on OSU's Athletic Council. He was also secretary of the University's first Diversity Enhancement Committee. Outside the University, Julian was a member of Columbus's Committee on Racial Equality. During the 1960s and beyond, he was an active participant in nationwide demonstrations supporting Civil Rights and opposing the Vietnam War. He was a major figure, on and off campus, in debates and in counseling uncertain and troubled young people in those rough times. He later became a founding member and first President of Columbus's North Market Development and continued his scholarly work by editing "King Lear" and helping to direct a major production of that play in Pittsburgh. Julian was a loving father and husband. Survived by his wife, Robin; his children, Alex, Linda, and Rachel; his sister, Miriam; his grandchild, Kristine; and two great-grandchildren, Ingrid and Eva. He will be missed so deeply -- in the words of a Shakespeare character he knew well: We "shall not look upon his like again." Arrangements by COOK & SON-PALLAY FUNERAL HOME.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jul. 25 to Jul. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Julian Markels

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6 Entries

Alan Hausman

June 22, 2022

Julian was a wonderful man in every way. In my years teaching at Ohio State we had many discussions on skepticism--his work on Moby Dick--and a deep friendship. I so admired him and loved him. His harrowing war experiences contrasted with his abiding humanity never ceased to amaze me. He was a blessing in my life and everyone who knew him. My deepest condolences to Robin.

Phyllis Newman

May 12, 2022

Julian is one of the first chairs that I worked closely with during my career at OSU. He stands out as a man of character, honesty, and compassion. He had a marvelous sense of humor that helped us all get through budget constraints and personnel problems.
Robin and family, there are no words to adequately capture your loss. Our hearts are with you all.

Martina Ebert

May 11, 2022

Julian was the Chair of my Ph.D Committee and a generous mentor and advisor. As an international student unused to personal attention from professors, his thoughtful guidance and his confidence in my intellectual abilities meant a lot. As a German student of the post-war generation, his acceptance of me as a person meant even more. I owe him much and have often thought about him over the years. He was a good and ethical man, and I was lucky to have known him.

Warmest regards to his family,

Martina Ebert

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Pranav Jani

Sent Flowers

Phyllis Newman

August 1, 2021

I began working at Ohio State University (long before the obligatory "The", which Julian always found amusing,) and remember him as first a mentor, then someone who always treated me with respect as a supportive co-worker, and finally, a friend.

I cannot begin to illustrate how much he taught me about being a thoughtful, respectful, and understanding collaborator. I found him to be such an intelligent, understanding, amusing and generous person. I will miss him.

Charlene Fix

July 26, 2021

To Robin and all of Julian's siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, after taking his classes a few times as an undergrad, I continued to think of Julian as my professor (and I'm no spring chicken, a retired prof myself), sending him greetings and news over the years. Rest in peace beloved Professor.

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