A Bright Light Has Gone Out

I’m headed out on an unexpected trip this afternoon, to attend the funeral of Dr. Steve Feller, who was my advisor in college and to whom I owe a great deal. I talked about Doc, as all his students called him, on this podcast with Craig Mod several years ago. From the transcript:

When I got to college, it was like, holy shit, there are people here who take [the learning] part of school seriously – because they’re curious about it, because they can’t help it. I learned that that I am one of those people — that I just can’t help being interested in all sorts of different things. College for me was like this amazing thing.

Didn’t know what I was going to major in when I got there, but after a year or two, I decided I was going to major in physics. I had this advisor. His name was Dr. Feller. He was the best teacher, hands down, I’ve ever had in my entire life.

He would do this amazing thing. I didn’t notice this right away, but when I got to be a junior and senior, I noticed this more and more.

In the class, he would teach simultaneously to every level in the class, no matter if you knew exactly what was going on with everything, or if you were really struggling, or anywhere in between. I don’t know how he did it. Like I still don’t know how he did it.

He was so generous with his time and his energy. He had this infectious energy that just propelled everyone forward. I just took so much from that experience and from having him as an advisor, and as a mentor, and as a friend really. He became a friend.

I think I owe him a lot in how I approach the world, and how I approach work, and in just thinking of the world as this endless bounty of things to know.

I feel very lucky to have had him in my life, and I know many, many other people feel the same way. (Photo above of Doc & me in 2018.)

I don’t know how much I’ll be posting here over the next few days; I will likely see you back here next week. 💞

• Jason Kottke
• Steve Feller