[Sealang-l] Fwd: Dr. Jerry Edmondson, Emeritus Professor of UTA Linguistics (1941-2023)

[Doug Cooper]

[fwd from UTA Department of Linguistics And TESOL on behalf of Elliott, A
Raymond]

Dear Linguistics & TESOL family,

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of our esteemed emeritus
faculty member, Dr. Jerold A. Edmondson. I was told that Jerry passed
peacefully in his sleep yesterday morning, August 27th, around 9am. Dr.
Edmondson's contributions to academia, research, and the community have
left an indelible mark that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Dr. Edmondson's remarkable journey was one defined by intellectual
curiosity, dedication, and a profound commitment to the study of language
and culture. After completing his doctoral studies in Germanic Linguistics
at UCLA, he earned a Habilitation in General Linguistics from the Technical
University Berlin in 1979, serving as an Assistant Professor of English and
General Linguistics at the Technical University Berlin from 1976-1980. He
then joined our university's faculty, serving as the founding director of
the Linguistics program here, and going on to spend decades shaping the
minds of countless students and colleagues alike. His warm demeanor,
passion for teaching, and unwavering support for his students made him not
just an educator, but a mentor and friend to many.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Edmondson pioneered groundbreaking
research in the field of linguistics with a particular focus on the
documentation, analysis and preservation of indigenous languages spanning
many continents. His seminal work on linguistic typology and documentation
has enriched our understanding of the world's diverse languages and their
intricate structures. Dr. Edmondson's dedication to preserving endangered
languages not only highlighted his scholarly rigor but also his deep
respect for cultural heritage.

As a prolific author, Dr. Edmondson's contributions to linguistic
literature have been instrumental in shaping the discourse of the field.
His numerous publications, research articles, books, and monographs,
continue to serve as invaluable resources for linguists, researchers, and
students worldwide.

Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Edmondson's kindness and humility
resonated with all who had the privilege of knowing him. His willingness to
engage in thoughtful conversations and his eagerness to collaborate
showcased his genuine love for academia and his colleagues. I know this to
be true from my personal experience with Dr. Edmondson and I will always
remember him fondly for the profound impact he had on my own career.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Edmondson's family, friends,
former students, and colleagues. While we mourn the loss of a remarkable
individual, we also celebrate the incredible life he led and the
immeasurable impact he made on the world of linguistics and beyond.

Details about memorial services and ways to honor Dr. Edmondson's memory
will be shared in the coming days.
My best,
Ray Elliott
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