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Earl Retif Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Earl Retif
14 Entries
Anne Dykmans
January 20, 2024
All my deepest thoughts are with Ann and with Stan. Earl was such a bright man and I feel very fortunate to have known him. And to have had the chance to work with him and Ann as a mezzotint artist since 1994 . There are so many events we shared that I won't forget, their visit in Belgium, my visit in New Orleans, how they did so nicely welcome me, their permanent support. We shared many little joys all along and complicity, through Earl's quick mind and friendship. He will keep alive in my heart. Anne Dykmans, printmaker
Mike Goodman
January 19, 2024
Ann,
Thank you for sharing Earl with all of us! Engaging with him was a special experience which almost always brought a smile to many. I am honored to have worked closely with him within Tulane´s enrollment management division, as he served as a wonderful mentor. We all valued his intelligence, thoughtfulness, and consideration in looking out for what would be best for an individual and for the community. Earl will be forever remembered as a unique pillar to the institution of Tulane, and also for being a valued friend and a gem of a human being.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike Goodman and the Tulane financial aid team
Martha sullivan
January 16, 2024
Ann and Stan, i was saddened to learn of Earl´s death. I smile remembering how every time i asked if he (as Registrar) could compile a report for me ,without fail, Earl and his quick mind began questioning me. Interrogating me, really. He would pull back the layers behind my request to help me realize what I really needed. It was a joy working with Earl. He was smart, he was fun, and he was kind. Hope to see you sometime in New Orleans when I am there, Ann. Heartfelt condolences,
Richard Gibbs
January 16, 2024
Cheryl, Stan and Ann -
Again, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. Earl was a wonderful man.
As much as we wish to see you personally we are unable to attend Earl´s memorial. Bobbie and I are leaving this evening for a trip out of the country and we won´t return home until the first week of February.
Know that you and all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ricky & Bobbie Gibbs
Richard Gibbs
January 15, 2024
Growing up in the suburbs of New Orleans, I was the "little kid" who lived next door to Earl. While Earl was always nice to me, because of the difference in our ages, he had better things to do than hang out with the little kid next door.
Nevertheless, I have fond memories of Earl, not the least of which was the HUGE favor he did for me when I first attended Loyola University. At the time, Earl was the Registrar and Dean of Admission at Loyola, and all students had to register for their classes on "Registration Day". To register, students were required to wait in long lines to register and, hopefully, secure the classes they wanted or needed. Earl contacted me weeks in advance of Registration Day to ask me to meet him at school. I was an in-coming freshman, new to the college world, and had no idea why a "big shot" on campus like Earl would want to meet with me. At Earl's invitation, I met him, and he personally helped me schedule and register for all my classes. Thanks to Earl, I was "all set" with my class schedule well in advance of Registration Day, thereby avoiding the enormously long lines other students had to wait in for hours to arrange their classes.
When I left Earl's office that day with my class schedule in hand, I had no idea of the HUGE favor Earl did for me. I had never experienced "Registration Day," so I was completely unaware of the long lines and enormous frustration experienced by nearly every student as he/she frustratingly waited for hours in long lines to register for their desired classes. Thanks to the kindness and thoughtfulness of Earl, Registration Day was no problem for me.
Although my class schedule was set (compliments of Earl) and I had no need to attend Registration Day, I ended up going to Loyola to help a couple of my friends who needed to register for their classes. Earl saw me waiting in one of the long lines and surprisingly asked me "what are you doing here"? After explaining I was helping a friend, we both chuckled, and Earl returned to his busy workday...but not before I could profusely thank him for saving me from the dread of Registration Day.
To Ann, Cheryl, and Stan, please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Earl was an especially kind soul who touched many lives in positive ways. He will be missed.
Ricky Gibbs
Kathy Powell Parra
January 13, 2024
Happened to see this & remember Earl as such a nice guy, who was always very sweet to me many years ago when I was a teenage friend of Cheryl's. I knew he was very smart! But never knew how accomplished he was! And that the city owes him alot! Prayers to all family!
Tony Broh
January 9, 2024
I learned the sad news about Earl earlier today. I have known him since the 1980s when we attended Registrar meetings together and generally had some time to catch up on personal and professional news. I´m a "talker" at these meetings; Earl was much quieter; but the quality of his thoughtful comments always outshined my typical verbosity. Years later, when I established an organization for Deans of Admissions, Earl was one of my first phone calls to Tulane and he immediately assumed a leadership position in the young organization. I called on him again during yet another professional meeting in New Orleans and then again, after his retirement, at a New Orleans restaurant where we renewed our long friendship only a few years ago.
Earl had an unusual trajectory to becoming Vice President for Enrollment. Typically, people ascend to this position after beginning in admissions. Starting as a Registrar is good training, but also an indication of attention to detail as well as his social skills. I can hear his chuckle in my ears as I write this message; his laugh was infectious.
I will not be able to attend Earl´s memorial service, but I will remember him in other ways. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Jeanne Baumann
January 2, 2024
I have so many good college-era memories of Earl! He was a wonderful man - and I love this photo. His smile never changed since I first knew him 54 years ago (how'd that happen?). He was the adult that corralled a group of hippie Loyola students, and helped guide us as we grew in our own varied ways. He seemed so "adult" except for the impish smile and great laugh. Many fun parties! I last saw Earl when I just happened into a gallery in NO when I was visiting in 1998 for the 25th reunion the Loyola Alumni office neglected to organize. We knew each other instantly and we visited; it was gratifying to see him so happy, surrounded by lovely art. Over the years, whenever I've thought of Earl, I've smiled.
Renee Stout
January 2, 2024
I had the opportunity to meet Earl decades ago through an artist that Stone and Press represented (Frederick Mershimer) and in that time there were some wonderful experiences and memories that I will always cherish. He had the quirkiest sense of humor and it was wonderful. My condolences to his wife Anne. Earl will be missed...he was so much a part of my beloved New Orleans.
Erica Salm Rench
December 29, 2023
Dear Ann, I was so fond of Earl and was so fortunate to have him as my first boss out of college and work with him for over five years. Earl gave me so much professional wisdom and guidance on my path. I will miss him very much. He did so much for me, and more importantly Tulane and New Orleans.
Charlotte Travieso
December 28, 2023
Dear Ann, Deepest sympathies on the loss of your extraordinary husband. Beautiful memories of Earl the Pearl will live on in countless hearts.
Laurie Orgeron
December 27, 2023
Earl was a lovely gentleman and a pleasure to know and work with at Tulane.
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