My Grandfather died this last month, and he has had and will continue to have a profound impact on my life. He was many things to many people - president, professor, chairman, dean, scholar, jokester, director, bird watcher, writer, photographer, guide, mentor. He was all of these things to me, but mostly he was my Grandpa. And damn was he handsome, look at that photograph. This past weekend we scattered his ashes at sea in Cape May, NJ.

I could never hope to follow in his footsteps academically if I tried, he was incredibly accomplished. He held a PHD from Princeton and was a fullbright scholar. He was a full professor at Princeton at the age of 33, the dean of Middlebury College, president of Grinnell College, dean of A&S at NYU, and director of the New York Institute of Humanities. He wrote several books about Renaissance Art and Italy, including Inventing Leonardo. If you have ever taken a college level renaissance art history course you’ve probably read him. Here’s his obituary in the New York Times outlining some of his professional accomplishments.

His friends and colleagues included people like Susan Sontag and Warren Buffett. One time he partied with Bill Murray. He was one of the guys who observed the restoration of the Sistine Chapel to ensure they didn’t screw it up. Many people relied on his counsel for various subjects. He never boasted about any of his numerous accomplishments.

He had a hilariously dirty sense of humor for someone so distinguished, his favorite word was fuck and his favorite gesture was the middle finger. He liked to shake things up. He used his humor in institutions and venues that were humorless and he changed them for the better. I got the chance to hear dozens of stories about his antics and accomplishments this past weekend, it was a real gift. 

My grandfather provided for my education and encouraged me to pursue my passions. My love of art, Italy, photography - all of that came from him in one way or another.

I and many others will miss him dearly.

Cheers and thanks for everything Grandpa, it’s an honor to be your grandson.