Losing a teacher is like losing a parent. That was Carol’s remark to me on the news of Stan Shumway’s passing.
Dr. Stanley N. Shumway, Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, shepherded me through my graduate studies there. My long and unorthodox path to a Ph.D. tried his patience, I know, but I have been thinking about how Stan went from being my teacher and mentor to being also my friend.
Stan had a clarity in his understanding of music that grounded my own thinking and teaching. While always interested and engaged in new ideas and possibilities, he never lost sight of fundamentals. Through him I learned both the old school ways and the newest trends in music analysis, but always accompanied by an assessment of what useful insight they might provide. His own textbook on harmony distilled the enormous possibilities of musical tonality down to their essence. I used it like a catechism. And his natural and unaffected understanding became an invaluable resource in the writing of my dissertation, which dealt with ways to explain complex musical concepts to laymen in a court of law.
His academic career at KU led him to chair the music department, although I am convinced that he held administrative posts out of a sense of duty rather than any personal ambition. He had no pretensions that I could discern. I particularly recall his ironic humor (and subtle dig at his own profession) complimenting the work that we do now at Professor Carol: “I am impressed at how you deal with broad concepts and ideas. As a theorist I can only manage the details.” Stan knew well that we can never develop a broad understanding without first mastering the details.
Our best teachers, those who have a lasting influence, do two things well. They pass on a body of knowledge with a heritage and an accumulated wisdom, and they instill a love of learning that inspires us to continue our studies long after the schooling is over. They become in a real sense our intellectual parents, tying us to an invaluable ancestry.
Stan gave me a classical education in music, which sounds so much smaller than it really is. As I view the desolate landscape of higher education today and the contempt for the past fueled at all levels of education, I am ever more grateful for Stan Shumway and teachers like him, who, at their passing, leave us not as orphans, but as heirs.
What a beautiful tribute, Carol! I am so sorry for your loss.
All of us who teach should hope someday on our passing to have a former student write such wonderful words about us. Thanks for this warm tribute, Hank.
This is a profound expression of how much this teacher impacted your growth and your travels from your earlier days to where you have come and where you are going! I’m not a musician; but your sharing helps me apply the same kind of thought and appreciation to all who have taught me the different parts of getting from there to here and being still on the journey! Excellent and dedicated teachers play a big part in our lives. They should be remembered ans celebrated. So sorry for your loss of such a gifted person in your life.
He was my daughter in law Sally’s father, and a sweeter man never existed. He is a very welcomed asset to Heaven . He treated my son Stuart Satalof, and all of the rest of us with unlimited curtesy and love. Our loss is Heavens gain. Lois Satalof
Thank you for sharing, Hank! I have really appreciated your theory course on the Circle of Scholars program. I think your ‘unorthodox’ path gives you gifts as a teacher.
Dr. Reynolds,
Thank you for your apt words. My dad was a consummate academic who tempered his powerful intellect with humility and humor. He loved his students and often spoke with pride of the work you did together on your thesis. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
David Shumway