This is a very hard post to write. I tend to not write personal posts on this blog, but will today.
My father, Lewis J. Edinger, died on Monday. There is a notice in today’s New York Times and I hope they will publish an obituary in the next few weeks. I wrote briefly about him in this post about Holocaust literature and will certainly write more about him here and elsewhere now. He was an emeritus professor of government at Columbia University specializing in leadership, post-war Germany, Europe, and other related areas. His last book, co-authored with Brigitte Nacos, was From Bonn to Berlin: German Politics in Transition. My father came from a line of prominent academics, notably his grandfather Ludwig Edinger, a prominent neurologist who helped found the University of Frankfurt and discovered the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the brain. His institute continues to thrive today and in April 2005 my father and I were guests of honor at a celebration and symposium for his 150th birthday.
Aside from his intellectual prowess, scholarship, and heritage, my father was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. All who knew him were enriched by the experience.
Monica, I’m so sorry to hear about your father. You will be in my thoughts.
Clare
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Oh, I’m so sorry, Monica. You are in my thoughts. Hang in there!!
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Monica, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Monica,
my prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Monica, I’m so sorry to hear this. My sympathies are with you and your family.
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Monica, So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. Take care.
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Monica, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts go out to you and your family.
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My dear, may his memory be for a blessing. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
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My condolences on your loss, Monica.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your father, Monica. My thoughts are with you and your family. He sounds like he was a remarkable man.
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I’m sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family.
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Most heartfelt condolences…
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Monica, I’m very sorry. Only glad you were able to take that April 2005 trip together. That must have been amazing.
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Monica, I so very sorry to hear about your loss. My heartfelt condolences.
-Susan
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My deepest condolences to you and your family. May your wonderful memories of your father help sustain you during this difficult time.
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Dear Monica,
I wanted to write to you ever since you called and told Werner of your father’s death, but I didn’t have your e-mail address. So let me express here our deep condolences to you, Susan, and Susan’s family on your great loss.
As you are aware, we have known your father as long as anyone alive today, and spent much time over the years with both your parents. We have been impressed by how solicitously you cared for and helped your father during the last several years. His death must therefore hit you especially hard.
We will be glad to assist in whatever way may be required of you at this difficult time. Please let us know if we can help. You are in our thoughts. Charlotte and Werner
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Heartfelt condolences. What an amazing life. You have certainly followed in the family footsteps of scholarship.
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Once again Monica, I am sorry about your father. My thoughts are with you.
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I haven’t been here in a while, and it saddens me to have to return to such news. My condolences.
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Dear Monica,
I’m very sorry to learn about your loss, It was interesting to learn about your fathers wonderful life and accomplishments. He must have been proud of your writing and teaching work as well. Please accept my sincere condolences. Lotus
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I’m really sorry about your father.
God bless you.
Luciane
Curitiba, Brazil
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Monica, I’m so very sorry to hear the news. My deepest condolences. He sounds like a remarkable man who made the very most of his gifts.
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Dear Monica,
I’m very sorry to hear about your father. He sounds like he was a remarkable man and father. May he live in your heart. Take care of yourself.
Yours,
Jenny
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Peace be with you and yours.
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Monica,
My condolences to you and all in your family. May you be blessed with all the wonderful memories you must have of your father. What a legacy he inherited and thus, handed down to you. It is no surprise then that you are so talented and giving. May all your days forward honor him and keep his memory alive.
Sharron
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Monica,
I’m so sad for your loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers,
Sylvia
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Dear Monica,
I am so sorry for your loss.
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Dear Monica,
My sympathies on the loss of your father. I hope the empty places in your heart will fill with rich memories you made together.
Karen
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I’m so sorry, Monica. My thoughts are with you.
Cindy
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Dear Monica,
I’m so sorry to learn about your loss. It sounds like your father, in addition to having a formidable intellect, was a true mensch.
The better they are, the more we miss them.
With sympathy,
Miriam
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I will just add my voice to say I am thinking about you and am so sorry for your loss. I’m glad I will see you soon.
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Monica, I’m so sorry to hear of this. He was clearly a brilliant man, but most importantly, he was your father, and that is what mattered the most.
WIth my greatest condolences….
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Dear Monica,
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I am thinking of you and know how important fathers are in the lives of their daughters, having lost my father recently. If there is anything I can do for you or your family, please let me know. With warm regards and deepest sympathies, Linda
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Monica, This is coming much later than it should, but I came upon the news of your father and on this website, by chance. I am very, very sorry about your father and hope that you are mending..
I am sure that it may seem odd to hear from me via this site. By the way, I am still (or back) in Seattle.
With very best regards wishes, Karin
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Monica, This is coming much later than it should, but I came upon the news of your father and this website, by chance. I am very, very sorry about your father and hope that you are mending..
I am sure that it may seem odd to hear from me via this site. By the way, I am still (or back) in Seattle.
With very best regards wishes, Karin
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