Ralph Mills Obituary

I met Dr. Mills in 1970 in the Contemporary Poetry class at UIC. Dr. Mills was the 1st teacher that I heard say "I did not know that." Dr. Mills was the 1st teacher to give me an "A" for not agreeing with everything that he said. Dr. Mills was the 1st professor to teach me poetry and to listen to stories about his wonderful dancing ballerina daughters. Dr. Mills was the 1st professor to write a letter of recommendation for me. Dr. Mills the 1st professor to whom I dedicated a poetry anthology. Dr. Mills was the 1st professor for whom I named a college award. Dr. Mills was and is a man of many 1st's to me

Ralph Mills was my professor, mentor, and advisor. He "discovered" that I was a poet and sent me bravely on my way with a yearning for a little bit of his wisdom, delicacy, and an eye for the miraculous. My sympathy is with his family and beloved wife, Helen. His memory will surely be for a blessing.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Ralph was friend and a wonderful colleague. He'll be missed in a million ways.

Ralph's generosity in sharing his gifts leaves the rest of us richer, even in the sadness of his passing.

At least Ralph's physical suffering is ended now, and he died peacefully, in his sleep, probably dreaming of all the love that he knew he was surrounded with from his family. How many men can achieve that? For reasons that we cannot fathom, God chose to test Ralph and you all. That part of the test has ended with Ralph's soul having been taken under God's protective wing.

May his memory be for a blessing always and may his good name, good life, and good deeds and work always be a source of inspiration to others.

Please accept my heartfel condolences for your loss. Ralph was one of the kindest and most thoughtful professors I've had the pleasure to encounter in my life. He taught me how to sculpt words, how to pare them down to their essence. I am a better poet and person for having known him.

I am deeply sorry to learn of Ralph's death from Peter Manson a few moments ago.... I was so pleased that Peter (whom I like, both man and work, very much) and Ralph were in touch.

My deepest sympathy to you and all your family. Ralph was a remarkable man, a fine poet and a beloved teacher: few can equal that. I remember with pleasure each of our too few meetings and conversations:

One feels so helpless this far away. I can only send you my condolences and reiterate my deep affection and admiration for Ralph --

With love, and sadness,


Tom

--
Tom Raworth

I'm glad the end was peaceful: the strength with which Ralph
seems to have borne all those years of Parkinson's is humbling.
I'm really grateful for having the family let me be in touch with
Ralph again this year.

My condolences, sent in sorrow and gratitude:

Peter Manson
Glascow
Scotland

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.