George Soule died suddenly after a brief illness on Dec. 24th. He was 81 years old. A Carleton graduate of 1951, George taught English at Carleton for 33 years, beginning in 1962. He was a much loved professor, teaching on a broad array of writers and engaging students in discussions about beauty, truth, art, and life. After his retirement in 1995, he continued to teach and give talks in many settings, including the Cannon Valley Collegium and local and international community groups. A true believer in the liberal arts, George appeared five times on Jeapordy in 1990 and was the 1990 champion of the Senior Tournament. George's wit and wisdom will be sorely missed.
George is survived by his wife, Carolyn Soule, the Administrative Assistant in English, his daughter, Kate Soule, and two granddaughters, Taylor and Zoe Soule. More complete information about George can be found on the Carleton website at http://apps.carleton.edu/people/gsoule/.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions may be made to the George Soule Memorial Fund at Carleton or to the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (c/o Barbara Jenkins, CVEC Finance Director, 514 Sumner St., Northfield).
Please continue to keep Carolyn and all of George's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
In sorrow and faith,
Carolyn
Comments
I just now learned of George's death, and I am so, so sorry to hear it. George was probably more responsible for my Carleton education than any other individual. I took his English 10 class in the spring of my sophomore year for the sole purpose of meeting my writing requirement, having no real interest in literature. But I was charmed by his passion for the material...he shook me out of at least some of my complacency and arrogance as a writer...I remember those 8:30 a.m. classes in Laird 206 when George would hear the spring birds chirping in the rafters outside, cock his head, stop and say, "and small fowles maken melodye"...and by the end of the term I was thinking of myself as an English major. Not the best news the English department ever had, but my life was enriched by the literature I read over the next three years and I have always been grateful to George for opening that world to me. Carolyn, I'm thinking of you.
I am so sorry to hear this! I was looking forward to visiting with him at reunion. He was a wonderful friend and professor.
I still remember, with fondness, the Shakespeare class I took with Professor Soule. It was one of the best.
Condolences to George's family and friends. I went to London with him and a group of Carls on a wonderful trip of literature in place back in 1992. He was fun, full of laughter, and loved literature in so many forms. He will be well remembered.
Post-War British Lit was one of my favorite classes at Carleton. Prof Soule's enjoyment of the material, and insightful understanding of the period, was contagious. I still think of him whenever I read Anthony Powell or Barbara Pym.
Mr. Soule was a great teacher. His Shakespeare course was revelatory. His enthusiasm was contagious. I will miss him terribly. My condolences to his family.
I observed one of his classes when I visited Carleton as a prospy and then took a Freshman seminar from him. He used to bring us Jolly Ranchers that he won on Jeopardy! I think of him when I read Margaret Drabble- his course introduced me to her and she is now one of my favorite authors.
Mr. Soule made Summer Term bearable. He helped a group of bewildered pre-freshmen feel there was still a place with caring adults amid all the very intense pressure of the session. He continued to be a nurturing spirit throughout my Carleton career--to me her represented the very best of the Carleton spirit.
I remember Professor Soule with great fondness: he was chairman of the English Department while I was there. I took "Mama Shakes" (Shakespeare's Comedies and Romances) from him, so when I saw him on "Jeopardy" a few years later and the final category was Shakespeare, I was sure he'd win it! Alas, he didn't, but it was still a joy to see him on the show and doing so well. Carolyn Soule was also a steady presence in the department office, and I remember you affectionately as well; my thoughts are very much with you in this great loss to the Carleton family.
I was in Prof. Soule's first class his first semester at Carleton. I fondly remember a great teacher. Not only was his Shakespeare class first rate, but also a seminar in comedy was outstanding. George embodied the teaching ethic of Carleton's faculty. He remains indelibly in my memories.
I am very sorry to hear the news of George's passing. I worked for Carolyn Soule in the English Department Office and became close to the Soules. Dinners at their home were some of my best memories from Carleton; it was wonderful to sit on their porch, have interesting conversation, and visit their garden. I enjoyed seeing them in recent years at their home in Northfield. I always admired their obvious bond as a couple. Carolyn and George were brilliant and loving, and George will be greatly missed.
I am very sorry to hear about George dying. He was my advisor at Carleton and a wise and kind man. I took English 11 from him the fall of my freshman year to complete my writing competency when I was convinced I would be a math major. Three years later when I switched majors, George agreed to serve as my advisor because I did not know the professor assigned to me; he said it was his prerogative as the Chair. I also had my senior seminar with George. I never had a professor who was more skilled at getting his students to discuss his subject in class. He made it look so easy! I know how well he knew the material, but he wanted us to explore the meaning rather than lecture to us. He shared his wisdom with me on being educated and living, advise that I have taken to heart all of these years. I will always remember him and be grateful for having known him.
I was having a conversation with my sister and George's name came up. I was shocked when checking the Carleton College website to hear of his death. I knew his parents well, our mother's were great friends. I sincerest sympathy to Carolyn and Kate.
When I think about my Carleton English major experience, George Soule played a key role in making it so positive and enjoyable. For me, he set the tone of accessibility and "I can do this" in my freshman writing seminar. Later I had him for English 10. He was very smart but approachable, inviting comments and discussion with an open, friendly attitude.
My high school English training was not very strong in grammar, and I was touched when Professor Soule gave me my own copy of the Harbrace College Handbook to aid my education in some basics. He did this after my freshman seminar, or maybe toward the end to help pull me through, I can't recall. I do know it was given in a spirit of helpfulness and generosity, with the comment that I might "someday pass it along to someone else who could use it..." thereby implying I would outgrow my need for it. I guess I failed to follow that instruction, because I still have the book...in large part to remember the warm-hearted prof who cared enough to give it to me.
Later in my Carleton career, my work study included part-time hours assisting Carolyn in the English Department office. She was a pleasure to work with, and even made mundane tasks like mimeographing (archaic, I know) enjoyable.
After Carleton I cheered heartily when Prof. Soule trounced the field in Jeopardy. His success was well-deserved.
He will be deeply missed and I hope his welcoming, inquisitive spirit remains within other faculty.