[MGSA-L] Richard Burgi passed away recently

Van Steen, Gonda gonda at ufl.edu
Sat Aug 18 15:25:14 PDT 2012


Dear friends,

Many of you who have followed the route to Modern Greek that led through the American School, the Athens Centre, or through Classics will have crossed paths with perhaps the most gentle Philhellene ever to embrace the Greek language (among many other languages): Richard Burgi, who recently passed away in Athens, where he had been living since he retired.



http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S34/38/47G56/index.xml?section=topstories



One of his former colleagues and devoted friend Dia Philippides, who first met Richard in 1973, writes: "Many long-timers at the American School will remember him as a first-rate teacher and a true friend. He has taught many to understand and speak modern Greek idiomatically, in classrooms, across the table in restaurants, and at countless theatrical performances, conveying his unique familiarity with the Greek theatrical scene from ancient to contemporary times. The ASCSA, Athens, and Greece have lost a real Philhellene (and one of the most kind and considerate people I have ever known)."



I consider myself among the very fortunate ones who was shown the way to Greek theater by Richard and who made new friends from among his vast number of close friends and acquaintances. Attached is a picture of Richard enjoying life at age 90, just as we like to remember him (courtesy of Dia).



Best,

Gonda



Gonda Van Steen
University of Florida
Dept. of Classics and Center for Greek Studies
125 Dauer Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-7435
Tel. 352-273-3796
Fax 352-846-0297

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