Posted by Glenn A. Goodwin on May 26, 2001 at 17:43:50 from 209.179.32.188 :
Farewell, Oh Gentle Giant... I am tardy with this farewell to Ed. I have not handled Ed’s passing very well and today is the first day I feel up to completing my goodbyes. I have read all the eloquent statements from other folks and feel, once again, so fortunate to have been touched by this magnificent human being. All memories of Ed, it seems, are by nature autobiographical--he did more than “touch” our lives--he entered our very Beings. Such is the mark of greatness... Aside from mentioning that Ed (along with Mark Kennedy, Bill Harrell, and Lenny Reissman) took this kid from the Langfield Projects and taught him how to think and, more importantly, how to “BE”, I will as far as possible eschew any autobiography. Suffice it to say that Ed Powell continues to rank as the most important force behind my “rebirth” (I once wrote about this for Ed’s edition of Catalyst--no need to repeat the story of my multiple “births” here). Sociology has served me well for over thirty-eight years: it taught me a healthy reflexivity and it oftentimes nourished me in my pursuit of meaning. The discipline enriched my life in many special ways--intellectually, humanistically, personally, and meaningfully. None of that would have happened without Ed Powell (indeed, reading all the beautiful statements that others have composed to Ed, I realize what a special and blessed group--extended family--I am part of). I owe my very BEING to Ed and for that I am grateful. To Karen and Ed’s children (only one of whom I have actually met in person), I send my deepest condolences and, as you grieve the loss of this marvelous human being--husband, The last time I saw Ed was when he and Karen and Rose and I went to dinner in Buffalo. Driving home that evening Rose remarked on Ed’s gentleness and that exquisite phrase “the gentle giant” came to mind. Ed was a “giant” in so may ways--intellectually, humanistically, even physically; his essence--his presence--his BEING--penetrated everything he encountered and penetrated it for better. I will miss Ed terribly. I fear I shall not see his likes again. Farewell, for now, oh gentle giant... Glenn A. Goodwin
Glenn A. Goodwin, 5/26/01
father---know that he has left his imprint on the world in a way that few ever do. I know. I am one of those many “imprints”.
Claremont, California