ROBERT BELKNAP Obituary

BELKNAP--Robert. A most distinguished and loyal Buckley and Exeter classmate. He was especially helpful to Columbia's undergraduate education as Acting Dean of Students, following the 1968 uprising. He helped them realize that their long term futures would be much brighter if they put aside their grievances and studied hard to attain value and substance of a Columbia degree. Dr. Paul Cushman, Dr. Richard N. Pierson. Buckley '44, Exeter '47, Columbia '55.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 30, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT BELKNAP

14 Entries

Donald Hamilton

March 19, 2019

I still think of him often. He was the best professor. The lessons he taught have lasted for a lifetime.

Donald Hamilton

July 24, 2014

I had the honor of participating in the proseminar which Professor Belknap taught in the early 1980's for the graduate students in the Russian Language and Literature program at Columbia University. I was his student for 2 or 3 semesters. I never met a better teacher. He was always kind, patient, down-to-earth, funny, and brilliant. Even to this day, I recount lessons he taught me to friends and family. He truly enriched my life.

Doug Wake

April 11, 2014

I still remember an evening in the fall of 1976 when Robert Belknap - then the acting Dean of Columbia College - dropped in unexpectedly to chat with students on my floor in Carman Hall during a strike by University security guards that followed a murder just a few steps from our dormitory. With the sincerity and humanity that few others could convey, Dean Belknap helped an anxious group of students to put these troubling developments in a broader perspective - and to know that he really cared about us. I also remember the animated and captivating way in which Professor Belknap brought Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky to life in a class that I took early in my Columbia career. Among all those I have met in the intervening 38 years, few have matched and none has surpassed Robert Belknap in epitomizing the most admirable qualities of a scholar, a teacher and a profoundly decent human being. I feel honored to have known and learned from Professor Belknap, and to have received his encouragement when beginning a diplomatic career that would be closely linked to the Slavic world that he loved so much. I offer my deepest condolences to Professor Belknap's family and friends.

Mark Lombard

April 8, 2014

Bob was a man of real character and integrity....His smile most genuine.

Ted Reiner

April 7, 2014

They say, "Be a beacon." Bob Belknap was just that in our little Cliff Island community. Like a Zen roshi,he didn't
just teach with words, he taught by his full demeanor and his way in the world--
kind, cordial, accepting, highly receptive, insightful, and generous. For a young man in his orbit, he demonstrated a great love for his fellows and our shared Life. He taught me about presence and character, though I was never his student. -- Ted Reiner, South Portland and Cliff Island, Maine

March 31, 2014

My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.

Sarah G.

March 30, 2014

My deepest sympathy to the Belknap Family.

Julie Des Jardins

March 24, 2014

Bob Belknap was truly one of the warmest men I've ever met. My deepest sympathies to Cynthia and family.

Perry-Lynn Moffitt and Edward Rogoff

March 24, 2014

We will miss Bob's laconic sense of humor, his eloquent story telling, his strong hugs and his bright smile. Our thoughts go out to Cynthia and to Bob's family, friends, colleagues and students, knowing how many lives he touched during his own.

Pamela Anderson

March 23, 2014

We will miss our dear friend so much! He and his wife, Cynthia,added so much to our Cliff Island Community, especially our Historical Society. They chaired many events and contributed so generously to everything of importance on our island. Bob was a good friend to all. What a brilliant and interesting man he was! He will be sorely missed!

Murray Rubinstein

March 23, 2014

My deepest condolences to Cynthia and her family and Bob's family. As chair of a seminar at Columbia for many years, I had the opportunity to see Bob as a leader and admired his command and style of leadership. I know that I and the larger Columbia community will miss him and will honor his memory and many accomplishements.

March 23, 2014

My deepest condolences to Cynthia and her children, their spouses and , her grandchildren and to Professor Belknaps family as well. He was a regal and powerful, and very kind ,man who made Columbia a better place.

James Russell

March 23, 2014

Prof. Belknap was my advisor at Columbia and my teacher: our friendship thus began in 1971 and lasted many years. I always was "Yasha" to him. He was a titan in every way and is as alive in my memory now as when I first met him as a boy. Physical death happens to us all. But Russian literature is forever. And he is immortal. I send my love to his family.

Nicholas Falcone Arena, Esq.

March 23, 2014

Sincere condolences to Cynthia and all
Bob's family and friends. Yes, he did
indeed have a "signature smile," but he
was much more.

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