J. Rufus Fears, Professor of Classics at the University of Oklahoma and widely recognized as an outstanding teacher, has died:
Friends,
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our friend and colleague, the historian of liberty J. Rufus Fears, died Saturday night. Dr. Fears was the Dr. David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow for Freedom Enhancement at OCPA and we had the distinct honor of working closely with him for the last several years.
Dr. Fears wrote many books and articles and even served as dean for the University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences. But, as anyone who knew him can tell you, one word describes him best: teacher. He taught large classes. He graded students’ papers himself. He was a master storyteller who brought history to life. His students loved him. In all, he amassed more than 25 awards for teaching excellence.
University of Oklahoma president David Boren said simply: “Rufus Fears was one of the greatest teachers in the history of our state.”
There is more here:
Three-time student-selected OU Professor of the Year J. Rufus Fears died Saturday, according to a press release. He was 67. Fears was well known for his classes Freedom in Rome and the Freedom in Greece, which were two of the most popular courses on campus, according to the press release. The cause of Fears’ death was not given.
“Rufus Fears was one of the greatest teachers in the history of our state,” OU President David Boren said in a statement. “His death is not only a great loss to the university but to the future generations of students who will be deprived of learning from him in the classroom … Our hearts go out to his wife, Charlene, and their children.”
And remembrances from students here.
Jesse Rufus Fears
March 7th, 1945 – October 6th, 2012
To my dear friend and mentor…your care, your knowledge continues through my work and that of so many of your students. Not even Aristotle’s students would remember him so well as we will celebrate you. You said the impossible to me, turn away from the university and teaching…head out into the world as I have and do what others will write of. I have, and because of your aid my accomplishments are worth such writing and any such words that my work garner are actually a tribute to you.
That work has saved tens of thousands of lives via interventions in Africa. I followed your advice and your lessons Professor Fears and applied them well. UN missions, the first free election in DRC in 50 years, the uncovering of multiple war crimes, and arms dealers have filled many years of work. Aiding countries to control their own destinies and resources while harnessing their own freedom have been my work, work that was undertaken at your suggestion and not so gentle pushing.
You promised to write the history of what I would do, but surprisingly I have outlived you. I think neither of us expected that given the threats in my work. But somehow you slipped away while I stood on the orange sand of a beach staring out into the Indian Ocean on an October day and before you could account for your own victories.
As your mere consul I will remember you as though you were riding as Augustus had in the triumph with your slave whispering in your ear “…remember thou art mortal…” as so we all are. But you will live again and we will meet there to spill the wine and laugh once again!
To my Dearest Friend,
John