Jetse Sprey

Dr. Jetse Sprey was a memorable scholar, charismatic teacher, and inspiring conversationalist. In graduate school, he taught the contemporary theory course with great depth and a critical eye, challenging us to expand our thinking. Because of Jetse, I chose a specialty in marriage and the family, eventualy studying 80 couples who met on the internet, and writing a book about online relationships. In later years, after my graduation and then his retirement, I had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam several times. I shared some of that experience with Jetse, and he responded that it gratified him that I so enjoyed the land of his early youth. RIP Jetse Sprey.

I have many memories of Jetse at the preconference workshop and am grateful for the central roles he played in founding it and keeping it going. He was an approachale, attentive conversationalist on many topics, including theory and its applications for real world issues. We shared a love for cichlid tropical fish. I am sad to learn of his death and glad to reflect upon him as a person and scholar. I am glad to have known this stellar person. When I encounter the goodnes that he was, the experience is natural and gentle.

Sarah and all,

My first experience with Jetse was in fall 1972 when I began grad work at Case. His theory courses were legendary, rightly so for imploring critical analysis and introducing recently translated European scholars. His office revealed him through his collection of aquariums and books and his warmth. He was a quiet and forceful mentor. For the past 15-20 years I enjoyed dinners with Jetse and Sarah in their Willoughby Hills home and/or Thai lunches in Cleveland. Always engaged, especially in terms of thinking about and discussing the implications of a current event', was his everyday and most enjoyable. Jetse embodied my sense of a great sociologist, colleague, mentor, and person.