Tamise VanPelt Obituary

Tamise Jo Van Pelt

April 22, 1947

January 18, 2013

Tamise Jo Van Pelt was born in Wichita, Kansas on April 22, 1947. She died in Reno, NV on January 18, 2013. Tamise was the daughter of the late Gayle Bozeman Van Pelt and Joseph Van Pelt of Nickerson, KS. She received a B.A. in History from Kansas State University, a M.A. in English from University of Nevada-Reno in 1990, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1994. She was an Assistant Professor of English at Idaho State University, Pocatello from 1994 to 2001. Tamise returned to her beloved Reno in 2001, teaching part time at UNR while she dedicated herself to her passion--writing screenplays. In 2005 she was hired by QuinStreet Media. Her final position at QuinStreet was Director of Online Media. Tamise was the author of two books, Birth Pattern Psychology and The Other Side of Desire: Lacan's Theory of the Registers. She completed two original screenplays, two adaptations, and always had many writing projects in the works. Tami at one time or another had been an astrologer, singer in a rock band, scholar, professor, marathon runner, gardener, and gifted writer. She loved kitties, plants, books, movies, Buddha, and Indian food, but most of all she loved being with her friends. A scholarship fund has been established in her name with the Nickerson Alumni Association, P. O. Box 463, Nickerson, KS 67561.

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Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Feb. 17, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Tamise VanPelt

5 Entries

Michelle McDevitt

October 7, 2025

In Loving Memory of Dr. Tamise Jo Van Pelt
I was blessed to be one of Dr. Van Pelt´s students at Idaho State University in 1994 and 1995. At that time, I was insecure and uncertain, convinced I didn´t belong in college. On the first day of her class, I listened to students discuss authors and books I´d never heard of. I went home and told my husband I was going to quit. JI felt too far behind, too unprepared. He urged me to speak with my professor before making any decisions. That professor was Dr. Van Pelt.
I hesitated, but I´m so grateful I took his advice. I met with her and explained how lost I felt. She listened with compassion and then said something I´ve never forgotten:
"Michelle, don´t quit. What you heard today was just memorization. Give me a chance. My job as a teacher isn´t to fill your head with facts. it´s to teach you how to find what you need when you need it."
That moment changed everything. I stayed. I learned. I grew. And in 2000, I graduated with a Bachelor´s in English.
Dr. Van Pelt didn´t just teach literature, she taught me how to think. She introduced me to feminism, to Thelma and Louise, and to the kind of learning that bridges intellect and emotion. She opened the door to The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and through that, to voices I´d never known I needed. I don´t remember these titles because I memorized them; I remember them because I hold the deepest regard for the woman who gave them to me.
She encouraged my unique perspective, challenged me to think critically, and always made time to talk. I remember writing a long paper on AIDS and she praised my ability to approach the topic differently and back up my ideas with evidence on a topic that had not been extensively acknowledged at the time. She believed in my voice.
She even encouraged me to apply for the Kegel Scholarship, knowing I wouldn´t qualify under the existing rules. "Apply anyway," she said. "They need to see students like you so they know the guidelines should change." She wrote me a beautiful letter of recommendation, not for the scholarship itself, but for the principle of advocacy and visibility.
Years later, I became a teacher myself. And when life brought unimaginable loss (the death of my youngest son) I found myself relying on the very skills Dr. Van Pelt taught me: how to research, how to connect ideas, how to deconstruct text and find truth. Her influence helped me do the impossible.
I tried to reach out to thank her, to let her know how much she meant to me. That´s when I learned she had passed away in 2013.
So I write this now, with deep respect and gratitude.
Dr. Van Pelt, you changed my life. You gave me the tools to survive, to grow, and to fight for truth. I carry your words with me still. Thank you for everything.
With love,
Michelle McDevitt

Jonathan Westphal

February 11, 2025

Tamise was one of the most generous and open-hearted people that I ever met, particularly in academia. Her smile said all that, and it never failed.

Jonathan Westphal

November 24, 2023

We all loved Tamise. She was the kindest possible person, and a joy to be with for our whole family.

Lori Canepa Bomberger

February 22, 2013

I had the opportunity to be a student of Tamise's. I thoroughly enjoyed her class. I really feel she valued her students. I felt very supported as a student of hers. She constantly showed her love of writing and gave us encouragement to write. She will be missed.

Gina Pogol

February 17, 2013

Love you always!

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