Charles Andrew Kelbley

Just learned of Charles' death. A quarter-century ago he was suggested for the mediation of the divorce with my former wife. We were all of a like mind (academics) and he did a fine job of fairness and handling emotions. I was impressed.

He was a wonderful guy, caring teacher, and very helpful to me at LC during my early years. I just cited his "Impenetrable Constitution" essay against Robert George's brand of originalism in my new book, *The Democracy Amendments.* Wish he could have seen that.

When I arrived as a new faculty member at Fordham College Lincoln Center, Charles welcomed me with such kindness. And, whenever I saw him, he had such winning words. I loved talking with him and felt a loss when he retired. The loss is even greater now that he has passed.

Father Bill Richardson, S.J. (1920-2016), a former senior colleague and longtime friend from Charles's days at Fordham, knew Charles as a student and from his time at the Sorbonne in Paris. Bill, who left Fordham for Boston College in 1981, would always ask after him when I joined the Fordham department at Lincoln Center in 1989, telling me how much he admired Charles' personal style and respected his talent in hermeneutic and moral philosophy.

For his part, Charles, knowing I had worked with Bill at Boston College, had the habit of paying Bill the same compliment for the same qualities in turn. It was a tag-team, I was the go-between, over the years of sending and returning admiration and greetings.

Charles, who retained the demeanor of an athlete, had a striking, if understated, sense of humor. He was also a wonderful resource for Fordham Lincoln Center's Prelaw students.

May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends.