Dennis Quinn
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Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis B. Quinn, 82, Eudora will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2011 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. He died Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Medicalodges in Eudora.
Mr. Quinn was born October 3, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY the son of Herbert and Thelma (Warren) Quinn.
Dennis was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed for a period of time in Japan. He was a resident of Lawrence area since the mid 1950’s.
After graduation from high school, he attended Creighton University and the University of Wisconsin. He earned his Ph.D. in English and comparative Literature in 1958. As a Fulbright Scholar, Professor Quinn did research in Holland and Spain several years, then also with the Ruth Baldwin Children’s Collection at the University of Florida.
He was director of Pearson College at KU and of the Integrated Humanities Program there. In connection with this program, Mr. Quinn led two groups of students in Greece and Italy, and another group to study in Ireland for a semester.
He had numerous honors including the H. Bernard Fink teacher of the year award (1965) and the Hope Award (1975), known scholarly journals published articles of his written about many papers on these same subjects, on children’s literature and wonder. In 2002 his book "Iris Exiled" about the history of wonder was published.
He was an Instructor in the English Department at the University of Kansas from 1956 – 1960, an Assistant Professor from 1960 – 1968. He then became tenured and was a Professor of English until he retired in May of 2006.
He was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.
Dennis married Eva Mae Jensen on August 13, 1952 in Omaha, NE. She preceded him in death on February 28, 2006.
Survivors include two daughters, Monica Sercer, and husband, Terry, Ft. Scott, KS and Alison Quinn, Lawrence, KS; one son, Timothy Quinn, Shawnee Mission, KS: daughter-in-law, Marilee Quinn, Lawrence, KS; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two brothers, Daniel Quinn and Eddie Quinn.
A parish rosary will be said on March 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. with the visitation to follow at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence.
The family suggests memorials in his name to Sancta Maria School – Eudora, KS, St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center or Clear Creek Monastery – Hulbert, OK and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Quinn was a positive influence for me as an English teacher. Tim and Marilee were two very good kids and fine students.
He has impacted my life and my spirituality forever. I pray that he will continue to do so from heaven. May he rest in the eternal awe, wonder and joy of God’s presence.
A Dios, to an excellent Catholic gentleman and scholar. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, educational insight and wisdom.
Monica and family,
You’re in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I remember your dad being a professor but never realized how smart he was!! I’m sure you have many good memories of him.
Charlene
Alison and family: How blessed I was to have your dad as a professor and an embodiment of friendship. What good he did with his two best friends (magistri Senior and Nelick). My sister Jean was also very sad for hearing the news, and exclaimed ’he was a great professor’. May you be carried with love. “With the spirits of the righteous made perfect, give rest to the soul of Thy servant, O Saviour; and preserve it in that life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.”
Kirk
Saint Paul, MN
Family and Friends, My deepest condolences and prayers for you and the soul of a good and great man. My time in PIHP with professor Quinn was one of the best and most significant influences in my life and I am eternally grateful.
God bless his soul and grant consolation to all who grieve for him.
Michael
We have never met Dr. Quinn but we are very familiar with the mark that he has left on this Earth. We are so grateful for the contribution he made to his students especially in the Pearson/IHP. His life most definitely touched others who are in turn touching others…..in the quest for the True, the Good and the Beautiful. He has truly left a mark on us all….although we never met him.
The Bryan Robinson Family
I was a student in PIHP during my freshman and sophomore years at Kansas, 1971-1973 and went on the trip to Greece. Dr. Quinn was a kind and wise man.”Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.”
I have many fond memories of Dr. Quinn from the heyday of PIHP during the early 1970’s. He was a brilliant and charismatic scholar rigidly principled gentleman. He touched the lives of many and note his passing appears to mark the end of an era. God Bless the soul of Dr. Quinn.
I have many fond memories of Dr. Quinn from the heyday of PIHP during the early 1970’s. He was a brilliant and charismatic scholar rigidly principled gentleman. He touched the lives of many and note his passing appears to mark the end of an era. God Bless the soul of Dr. Quinn.
I have many fond memories of Dr. Quinn from the heyday of PIHP during the early 1970’s. He was a brilliant and charismatic scholar rigidly principled gentleman. He touched the lives of many and note his passing appears to mark the end of an era. God Bless the soul of Dr. Quinn.
Dennis Bartholomew Quinn,
Has gone to the Eternal Inn;
There by the fire,
The angelic choir,
And his waiting wife welcome him.
Safe from the cold of the night,
The sparrow has finished his flight;
There in the hall,
United with all,
Enjoying now warmth and light.
Joined now with Frank and John,
Their conversation goes on; (and on)
There the great three,
In heavenly glee,
Continue to sing their song.
We who are now left behind,
Remember him gentle and kind;
Here let us pray,
On this holy day,
May God’s love all of us bind.
The Quinn is dead,
Long live the Quinn!
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
The arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.