Prof. Emeritus Michael "Timo" Gilmore (ENG) passed away on March 3 at the age of 72 after battling an unspecified serious illness, according to a March 5 BrandeisNOW article. Gilmore retired from Brandeis two years ago after spending nearly 40 years building the English department's reputation in American literature. Gilmore is remembered by his colleagues for his passionate character and intellectual achievements that range from publishing books to teaching at Brandeis.

In his academic career, Gilmore authored or edited eight books that studied the relationship between American politics, social conditions and literature. Prof. Robin Feuer Miller (GRALL), who described Gilmore as a natural leader on campus in an email to the Justice, wrote that her favorite book of his is Differences in the Dark, a study analyzing American movies and English theater.

Prof. Caren Irr (ENG) wrote in an email to the Justice that "the unifying theme of his intellectual life was his passion for justice-not just fairness, but a deep historical justice," and he was very aware of the inequalities present in America's history. Irr, who said her office was next door to Gilmore's, said that Gilmore will be remembered for both his writing and friendly demeanor.

Gilmore's propensity for advising students will also not be forgotten, as he leaves behind the legacy of students with whom he worked. He served as a graduate student dissertation adviser. According to Prof. John Burt (ENG), Gilmore deeply cared about Brandeis and "knew how to bring the best writing and thinking out of his students, and he took pride in their accomplishments," wrote Birt in an email to the Justice.

Prof. John Plotz (ENG) wrote in an email to the Justice that Gilmore impacted his own advising style, explaining that "he taught me a lot about silence, about not overwhelming the student but listening, supporting them-and then throwing in that one crucial suggestion."

Scott Moore, a Ph.D. candidate in English, explained in an interview with the Justice that Gilmore's "clear passion for his work electrified the connection between teacher and student." Moore described Gilmore's teaching style as demanding, all for the sake of helping his students achieve their best possible work.

In an email to the Justice, Prof. Stephen Whitfield (AMST) described Gilmore as one of his closest friends on the University faculty since they met four decades ago. Whitfield wrote that "[h]is integrity was expressed in terms of both mind and character. His teaching and his scholarship were imaginative and insightful, and Timo's death leaves a loss that cannot be replenished."