Ely Liebow Obituary

I was saddened to hear of Ely´s passing and extend my belated sympathies to his family. In the early 1970´s, I was a student at Northeastern and one of the editors of the university newspaper for which Ely was the faculty advisor. I appreciated his sense of humor and wonderful guidance. To his credit, he did not believe in censorship of any story that was well-written and researched and gave the newspaper staff great latitude. When I became a teacher and advisor of the school paper, I always remembered what I had learned from Ely.

Dear Mrs. Liebow and family,

I only learned today of Ely's passing, otherwise I would have conveyed to you personally the sadness which I and his many colleagues feel at your loss. Others have pointed to his intelligence, wit and integrity. I join with those and add only that he was a kind and decent colleague to all who came his way.

Condolences to Phoebe. Ely was a scholar and a gentleman and a great Sherlockian.

Dearest Phoebe,
The Scotland Yarders always enjoyed each and every time Ely spoke to us. He will be sorely missed. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Tom and Elizabeth Kowols (Buffalo Grove, IL)

Professor Liebow was a fantastic instructor, with a dry wit and insatiable curiosity about many topics. I was sad to hear of his passing. May his family and friends be blessed with memories of his humor, kindness, and spirit.

My Dear Uncle Ely, who taught me about the method, and cribbage, and chess.My very best Uncle will be missed so much.
With sympathy
Yale Katz
San Jacinto California

I was never fortunate enough to have studied under Ely, but he was such a fixture in NEIU's English Department during all the years that I studied and taught there, I cannot imagine the department without him. He will be greatly missed by his former students and by his colleagues.

Mr. Liebow's book brought Dr. Joe Bell out from Sherlock Holmes' shadow, showing him to be a wise and perceptive man.
My condolences on Mr. Liebow's death.

Dear Phoebe, Wendy, Cindy and Franette,
When Dad called me to tell me of Ely's passing he of course mentioned that he was among a select few that Dad categorized as his "best friends" in life. I clearly remember those years early in my life when our families spent time together and of course I was always better for all of that time spent with all of you. Fourteen years ago I remember how amused and pleased Ely was when he was notified that we named our recently acquired Bichon Frise "Watson" which my then 10 year old son Daniel named as he was discovering the joy of reading S.H. Stories. My heart fell and my mind recalled dear Ely when Dad spoke to me. A kind, sensitive, funny, brilliant man that touched me in every way that is meaningful as did you all. You have my love and thanks for all of your kindness shown to my family over these many years and though our frequency of sight has been minimal for many years, you are all fresh in my heart, mind and being. Dear Ely was a lovely man that we shall all miss greatly. I can imagine Ely and my sweet Mother sitting somewhere enjoying a stimulating conversation and being at peace.

Love,
George Wolfson

Dear Phoebe, Wendy, Cindy and Franette,
We always looked forward to visits with "Phoebe and Eli" and the game of "Categories" which Cory and Eric loved to play with Eli. Eli would always create new categories which made it more fun.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With love and sympathy,
Phyllis, Larry, Eric and Cory

I will remember Ely for his scholarship and humor, his insight into people and literature, and most of all because he was a truly good man. He enriched my life.

Ely was a favorite of all of us who knew him. He will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Phoebe and the family. So sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral.
Fondly, Ruth Goldsmith

What a sad day. Ely Liebow was a wonderful colleague. Accomplished, but always curious--intelligent, but never condescending--he was a scholar whose serious academic interests were balanced by a wry, distinctive wit. He was singular. He is missed.

What a blessing it was for me to room with Ely for several of the annual Sherlock Holmes weekends in New York. I will miss his many fascinating stories, his good humor, and his sheer decency.

My condolences to the family for the loss of a great man. Ely was a menche amoung Sherlockians and he was a mentor to me when I first began to explore the Sherlockian world. His loss will be missed by all.

My dear uncle Eli was truely a special man, he will be miss by his students and his loved ones. my love to his wonderful careing wife Phoebe. Josie Katz Tel Aviv Israel

Ely was a prince among Sherlockians. It is an honor to have known him.

Ely was a good friend, a fine gentleman and an excellent humorist. I enjoyed our many lunches and dinners and his always little extra ways that he went to show his caring. He will be missed but even more, he will be remembered.

Dear Ely,
We will miss you so much in the English Department. I walked by your wildly messy office every day for all those years, and when you finally retired and moved into Helen's office to work on your writing, I often found you nestled there, mulling things over, getting ready to tell a joke or story to the lucky person who leaned in to say hello. What a life you lived, what a gentle spirit. You and your family are in my prayers.

Ely was the patriarch of the English department. His knowledge was wide, his humor a treasure, and his generosity of spirit was deep and rare. He will be missed and most sorely by those who will never have this true gentleman and scholar to provide a model of moral and academic excellence.

We Sherlockians shall miss Eli greatly, and shall remember his good sense and good humor.

I didn't know Mr. Liebow well and only met him a few times. But he was exceptionally gracious and kind, and the world is poorer for his passing.

Dear Pheobe,

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I have many fond memories of Ely especially the Yiddish jokes he used to send to Tom which had to be intrpreted by me.

Dorothy Stix

Ely was a great Sherlockian and, even more, a true gentleman. I didn't know him very well, but I liked him the moment I met him. May his memory be a blessing.

Ely was a pillar of the Solel community, and someone I admired greatly. My thoughts are with all of his family at this sad time.

Ely will be missed by all Chicago Sherlockians. He was one of the best.
With deepest sympathy,
Mary Erickson
The South Downers

Dear Franette and Family: I am so sorry for your loss. Franette your family is always in my prayers. Your devotion to your dad was always an inspiration to me. I hope your memories of his love and your faith comfort all of your family at this time.

Dear Franette,
You are in my thoughts and prayers today in the loss of your wonderful, special father. My heart is breaking for you.
Truly, Lynn

Dear Phoebe and Family,
We were so sorry to learn of Ely's passing. He left a powerful legacy for us...a love of learning, good humor and courage in the face of adversity. He profoundly touched our lives. To our dear Inspector Gregory (B.S.I.) the game, for all eternity, will be afoot for you.
Love,
Judy and Bob