Professor Emeritus Edward Stuart Small, 74, passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at Allie’s Village Memory Care Home in Lawrence, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 5, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Ed Small was born October 15, 1939 in New York, NY. At the age of five, he moved to West New York, NJ with his parents Edward and Anne (Forbes). Ed attended Hope College, where he met his future wife Ruth Diane Hagymasy. He continued his studies at the University of Arkansas, lived in Japan while working on his dissertation, and received a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.
Ed began his career as a Professor of Film at the University of Missouri in 1972. In 1989 the Small family relocated to Lawrence, Kansas where Ed worked until his retirement in 2012. His scholarly work centered on experimental and documentary film and video. His varied films, often imaginatively merging the two approaches, won festival prizes and were featured at film conferences as well as showcased on television.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife Ruth D. Small in 2004. He is survived by his children Jessica R. Small and Edward W. Small of Lawrence, KS, as well as his fiancé Sandra J. Boogertman of Fair Haven, VT. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: KU Endowment Association, c/o Ed Small Scholarship for Experimental Film, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.
I will miss our e-mails and our telephone conversations. George and I will always remember our get together at our house on your way to Montreal. I am so glad we were able to spend a few days together, and sorry that we didn’t see each other except for the 1948 arrival in New York and then again in 1999 at our retirement home with Ruth. I will always remember the pictures you send me, you always standing by the counter (beard and hat) and your bad habit of smoking.
I will miss you Cuz. Love Rita XXX
I knew Eddie when we were growing up together in West New York. His love for motorcycles was very strong in those days. I remember when we went to the Pre-premier of the film GIGI (1958) in Jersey City, N.J. and Eddie said to me that he was going into the film industry. Little did I know he would do just that. I will miss you Eddie and remember the good times we had together in our youth. Neal
I will always remember Ed! I was his GTA when I first arrived at KU and he served on my dissertation committee. He was always congenial, with that ever present toothpick dangling from his mouth. Old father seems empty without his presence.
We had so many good times together —
* going to screenings at the Iowa Union as graduate students, and arguing and pulling them apart into the night!
* watching our kids grow up at UFVA meetings on campuses around the country!
* meeting each other with our families in Columbia, and then in Lawrence
* moving into Oldfather Studios! –At last, a home for K.U. Film !
* popping into one or the other of our offices to talk about life, as well as, film!
Ed was a meticulous and groundbreaking scholar whose
integrity and friendship I will always treasure. He also was a gifted teacher and loyal and steadfast mentor to our students. His memory will be a constant source of inspiration to those of us who were privileged to work with him.
Chuck Berg
Our family will forever be grateful to Ruthie and Ed and kids’ decades-long friendship, and for all of the laughs and love and music and shared projects and debates and conventions and into-the-wee-hours conversations and pets and yummy meals included! Rest in Peace, Dear Ed and Ruth.
May peace be with you now too, Kip and Edward.
HUGS, from beth
Speaking and seeing Ed was always an uplifting experience. I will remember his tall, thin, lanky physique, his face adorned with glasses and the top of his head not sporting much if any hair. I know I will often recall our conversations; He was always a sincere, extremely intelligent talker yet seemed somewhat displaced when the topic wasn’t academic, theoretical or directly related to film studies or production. He had habits, for example he liked to smoke a couple of Camel brand cigarettes each day, ponder about his latest or next academic publication and sometimes just reminisce. He was easy to admire and I admired him greatly. He was a great friend throughout my adult life and professional career. He meant the world to me in the manner a mentor becomes friend and remains a friend forever thereafter only can. I will miss him.
Ed was a good colleague, and though we had our disputes, I learned much from him over the years. Several years ago we crossed paths unexpectedly on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, and passed a lovely afternoon in a cafe talking about Derrida, semiotics, good whiskey, and the surrealists. A very smart man and such a wry sense of humor! I’ve missed him around Oldfather.
I send my sincere condolences for your loss. I am happy to have known Dr. Small, and had the privilege of being his GTA and friend from 2009-2012. He taught me so much about his passion for film, animation, and the experimental form. I owe a lot of his mentorship and training to my own interest and teaching in these areas. May his memory live on for all.
Sincerely,
Juli S. Pitzer
Rest In Peace. I never will forget what an amazing professor you were. I learned a lot from you and appreciate the time and patience you had to teach me.
Condolences to the two most precious Ed Small’s creations! May what he believed in happens and bring you peace of mind.