Memorials to Greg

While I am still struggling to put into words my remembrances of Greg, I and I know many, many others have been deeply moved by - and at times smiled at and repeatedly nodded in agreement with - the many tributes to Greg posted here.  Thank you all for sharing.

There have also been several memorials to Greg written by others; I have inserted links to those I have seen on the "Links" section to the left.  And with his permission, I am sharing below a beautiful poem written by Greg's dear friend Don Harker.  Don is too bashful, and just like Greg too humble, to share publicly himself, but I thought it captured the essence of Greg so wonderfully and have taken comfort in it myself and I imagine many of you will as well.  Thank you Don.

Greg's family hosted a private memorial service for him in Cincinnati on Thursday, and after the new year, we will be sharing more information on plans for a public memorial service at Duke.  Until then, may we all continue to take solace in the memories we share of the remarkable man who touched the lives and work of so many.

An Unselfish Soul

 

You Harvard business boys are so smart.

Why don't you roll up your sleeves and

Get in the trenches of Appalachia

Where the work is anthracite hard.

No mushy theory or bending student minds

Or get rich quick schemes here.

Who would slip out of their pin stripes and

Slide from the plush leather couches of

Harvard’s inner sanctum for such service?

Greg Dees. I will tell you who!

Gently carrying his ethical message

Of a fair and flourishing world

On his rolled up sleeves,

Up and down Kentucky hollers,

Echoing through hallowed University halls

In closed Davos meetings where

Only money speaks to power.

He moved the mighty to take up

His speech that good must be done

As part of our business in the world.

His generosity with friends, and family and students

And colleagues and strangers inspired each

Of us he touched to seek our better selves.

Commit this day to take up his torch

In this world where money is God,

Service to each other is our hope and

Righteous calling and we shall not

Mourn the loss of this better angel, but

Rejoice that he was here in this needy world,

In humble service to us all.

 

By Don Harker  12/20/13

Written to honor my very dear friend and mentor Greg Dees