In Memoriam: Ed Sims
Long-time Sport Literature Association member Ed Sims of Springfield College has died. Ed was a constant presence at SLA conferences, always encouraging presenters though too rarely, in recent years, contributing his own excellent work on sport literature. Ed was Program Chair of the 1988 SLA conference in Johnson City, TN, President of the SLA in 1989, and host of the conference in 1991 and 2003. The membership remembers Ed Sims:
- "Ed was one of the best, always there, always attentive, always cheerful, even in painful times. The association will not be the same without him." – Don Johnson
- "Ed Sims was one of those people who made SLA the warm and friendly group that it is. He was a kind gentle soul of great humor and kindness. We have all lost a great friend and colleague and the sense of loss is only eased by the fact that we were lucky enough to have known him so long and by the memory of his contributions to SLA." – Dick Crepeau
- "Ed was one of a kind. He always had a kind and supportive word. Truly a gentleman and a class act." – Duncan Jamieson
- "Ed was an original – gracious, smart and 'got the message.' Ed had great humor, originality and humanity." – Dick Stull
- "Kind and supportive, truly a gentleman—a truly gentle man. I will miss his warmth and humor at SLA gatherings, will miss them a great deal." – Ron Smith
- "I am very sad—Ed was one of the best—a true gentleman. He was warm, funny, appreciative, and loyal. And he loved the SLA and everyone in it. We will all miss him." – Eric Solomon
- "From the time I started coming to meetings Ed was one of the bright spots, almost without my realizing it at the time. I remember a meeting when he walked into the room and we talked and I realized with a rush what a pleasure it was to see him—it had been a couple of years I guess—and I have held onto that feeling ever since. If ever there was a nice person, it was Ed Sims." – John Morefield
- "Karen and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Ed Sims, a truly genial and warm friend, colleague, and SLA mainstay. Our condolences to his family, friends, and the Springfield community. Our gatherings just won't be the same. One of the truly good people." – David and Karen Vanderwerken
From The Republican of Springfield:
Dr. Edward J. Sims, 82, died at Mercy Medical Center, Springfield MA, on January 24, 2010. Born in New Britain, CT he received a New York State Regents Diploma from Johnstown, NY High School and degrees from Springfield College, the State University at Albany and Columbia University. During WWII he made thirty-two crossings of the Atlantic Ocean with the U.S. Merchant Marines. Dr. Sims was a member of the English faculty at Springfield College for thirty-nine years serving as department chair, coordinator of the Division of General Studies and Distinguished Professor of Humanics. He published a number of books and many journal articles and was a co-founder and former president of the Sport Literature Association. At Springfield he was among the first instructors in Learning in Later Life, a program for seniors. He was a supporter of the Springfield Symphony for over twenty-five years. He is survived by a sister Rose and her husband Walter of Johnstown, NY and a brother John of Bristol, CT, and many nieces and nephews, his companion of thirty-four years Paul Kenney, and a multitude of friends within the Springfield area and across the country. He was an avid tennis player and made many friends at the Ludlow Tennis Club, Springfield Tennis Club and The Holyoke Canoe Club. The funeral will be private with no services or calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield College Alumni Fund, 263 Alden St., Springfield, MA 01109 or to Springfield Preservation Trust, Inc., 74 Walnut St., Springfield MA 01105.