Memorial honors former Latin prof.

Friends, family, colleagues and students gathered to reminisce about former Latin Prof. Glenn Knudsvig during a memorial service Saturday afternoon.

Knudsvig died in a boating accident in Key Largo, Fla. on July 24. He was 57 years old.

Prof. Sharon Herbert, a close friend and colleague of Knudsvig, said the purpose of the service was to remember the way Knudsvig touched the lives of those who knew him.

"What we want to do today is not so much to mourn our loss, but to enumerate and take comfort in what Glenn has left to all of us," Herbert said.

Knudsvig began teaching Latin in the department of classical studies in 1963. Some of his students said they remember him as someone who was deeply dedicated to teaching.

University alumnus Jennifer Maher, who took Knudsvig's Latin classes as an undergraduate student, said he gave students individual attention.

"He was interested in learning for the sake of learning and teaching for the sake of learning," Maher said. "That's what his whole philosophy of teaching was based on. "He gave you his attention and his focus, and he cared," she said.

Knudsvig encouraged student athletes to take advantage of educational opportunities.

Classical studies Prof. David Potter said Knudsvig couldn't be satisfied with a system if it had the potential to work better. "Glenn was concerned with education in all aspects and at all levels," Potter said.

As president of the American Classical League, Knudsvig always looked for ways to improve the organization, said Kendra Ettenhofer, a high school Latin instructor from Colorado currently serving as the organization's vice-president.

Ettenhofer said Knudsvig, like the language of Latin, is still alive in many ways.

Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr knew Knudsvig through his work with student athletes.

"His greatest legacy was his ability to see the potential in every student," Carr said.

More than a dozen people spoke at the memorial, and all of them emphasized Knudsvig's unique combination of humor, intelligence and generosity.

Timothy Walter, dean of Academic and Student Affairs at Oakland Community College and a close friend of Knudsvig, spoke about a conversation the two had regarding how they would want to be eulogized.

Knudsvig is survived by his wife Shirley and two children.

10-12-98