farewell to a friend

Like most aspects of my life, I've tried to approach this blog with humor.  There are times, however, when levity must give way to gravity.  I lost a respected mentor and dear friend last week, and while this scarcely-trafficked collection of words floating in the ether hardly qualifies as a prominent forum, it will at least serve as a humble means to say a few words about him in the most public way I can.

I first met Dr. Aage Clausen in the spring of 2008.  I, a sophomore, was eager for some research experience to add to my resume.  He, an emeritus ten years into retirement, was far from the typical faculty mentor.  At first I wasn't sure what to make of the gruff Nebraskan with the funny Danish name and well-trimmed mutton chops.  When he informed me we'd be doing the heavy lifting of the statistics-based project by hand, I wondered what I'd gotten myself into.  But after only a few hours together, it was clear "The Elder" (as he signed his emails) and "The Younger" (as I signed mine) were of like mind and spirit.

Aage treated me as an equal from the get-go, and served as a constant sounding board not only for my work on the project, but in academics and other matters as well.  He was always willing to talk, to share a meal at the Faculty Club, or to pull out his topographical map of Nebraska to prove me wrong when I insisted it was, indeed, quite flat.  I often received emails from him recounting the latest antics of "Ole" and "Sven."  Another faculty member and mutual friend of Aage's once mentioned to me that he was much more reserved earlier in his life, a quiet man not prone to long conversation and jokes; that his change in personality came on only after his wife's passing a few years before.  I like to think that Aage and I found each other at the perfect time in each of our lives, one's waxing, the other's waning.

While our project never ultimately came to fruition, my time with Aage was priceless.  He did so much for me.  He wrote letters for my law school and Fulbright applications.  He shared with me his immense knowledge gather over a half-century of teaching.  But most of all, he was my friend.  I can only hope that I meant half as much to him as he did to me, that a long-shot project with a young undergraduate helped to sustain him and give him purpose at a time when his health and personal life were failing him.  

I was afforded the opportunity to have a last dinner with Aage before leaving for the ten-month experience that he helped me obtain.  Free of the burdens of our academic pursuits, we talked about current events and future pursuits.  When I left for Russia, I did so with the unfortunate knowledge that it would likely be a final parting.  It doesn't make the reality any easier, but I will forever consider myself lucky to have been able to have that time and that moment with him, when he was still quintessentially "Aage."  I regret not being able to see him before his passing, and that I could not be present at his memorial service.  I can only hope that these simple words will stand in living memory as a tribute to a truly memorable man.

Sleep well, proud son of Nebraska.  You will be dearly missed.

Columbus Dispatch article on Aage's work as a volunteer tutor at a Columbus-area middle school 

CLAUSEN Aage R. Clausen, age 78, Friday, January 14, 2011 in Columbus. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and was a professor at OSU from 1971 until he retired in 1997. The son of Danish immigrants, he grew up on a farm in Nebraska and was the first member of his family to attend college. He was grateful for the opportunities he had in life; in return, he helped provide opportunities in the lives of young people. Beginning in 2005, he helped fund a scholarship program at Grand View University, and the scholarships will continue with funding from his legacy. After he retired, he tutored math at the Buckeye Middle School. Predeceased by his beloved wife Geraldine Clausen. Survived by son, Jon Clausen; brother, Ted Clausen; nephews, Lowen Clausen and Fred Clausen; and others. A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held at the OSU Faculty Club at 1 p.m. Friday, January 21. Funeral service will be held at a later date in a country church near St. Paul, NE. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in his memory to the Lifelong Learning Scholarship at Grand View University, or to a charity of the donor's choice.