...but here is the obituary of one of my best friends. It may give you an indication of what a super guy he was:
DIZNEY, Robert. Age 71, of Fairfield, passed away at Hospice of Hamilton on October 14, 2008, following a long, courageous battle with colon cancer. He was born in Harlan County, Kentucky, in 1937, the son of Robert and Beatrice (Rowland) Dizney, both of whom predeceased him in 1982 and 1958 respectively. He graduated from Kentucky’s Berea College in 1961 with a double major in math and English. He taught at Kings High School in Mason for nine years before transferring to Fairfield Senior High School in 1970, where he taught math, English and German until his retirement in 1994. He also taught at Miami University in Oxford while earning his M.Ed. degree. He then taught the last seven years of his 44-year career in education at the McGregor Graduate School of Antioch University in Yellow Springs. Illness forced his retirement in 2005.
Over the years Dizney accumulated an impressive roster of awards and honors: He was Miami University’s English Department Teacher Scholar during the 1991-92 school year. He received Ashland Oil’s Teacher Achievement Award in 1993, along with the McGregor Graduate School’s recognition for his creative and original teaching methods that same year. He was selected as Outstanding Continuing Student by his peers at Miami University for 1995-96 and 1996-97, while studying for his doctorate. In 1998-99 he was appointed chairman of the faculty assembly at the McGregor School. He was also a member of MENSA throughout his entire adult life.
His greatest honor, however, was being notified in September, 2008, that the Bob Dizney Writing Center at Antioch University McGregor had been named for him, due to his enormous contributions to the field of education. “It has been a pleasure,” said chief of staff Deena Kent-Hummel, “to create a space reflective of Bob’s influence and personality.”
As a lifelong learner, Dizney’s many accomplishments often left his friends awestruck. He grasped concepts quickly and then applied them with record speed. Once, already well into middle age, he decided he wanted to become fluent in German––so he took local classes and then, with characteristic determination, enrolled in German Universities for two consecutive summers. He not only became fluent; he also organized several overseas group tours for teachers, including those to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As someone who loved traveling extensively throughout the world, visiting seven continents and more than 70 countries, Dizney was always eager to share the magic with others.
None of this was ever lost on his students. His compassion, kindness and generosity were obvious to all young people who knew him. He once lent his cobalt blue Corvette to a boy who didn’t have the means to take his girlfriend to the prom––and then paced the floor all night like some frantic father. His favorite cause was fighting sexism in literature curricula; for years he wore a t-shirt which read, “When we shortchange girls, we shortchange America.” Before Dizney’s doctoral studies were interrupted by illness, some high schoolers began calling him, “Dr. Diz, the Renaissance Man.” One boy simply cut to the chase and dubbed him, “Doctor-Dizney-the-smartest-man-in-the-world.”
But what his friends and loved ones will always remember best is his sense of humor. A fierce intellect made him a wonderful storyteller––and an even better joke teller. He could laugh about anything: rude behavior, political scandals––even the horrors of growing older. And at the very end of his life he quoted Falstaff’s apt line from Shakespeare’s Henry IV: “We have heard the chimes at midnight.”
Dizney is survived by a sister, Phyllis (Orville) Hubbs, a nephew, Gary (Pamela) Hubbs, a great-nephew, Adam (Sarah) Hubbs, a great-grand niece, Chelsea Hubbs. Also, family members Wanda Rowland, Roxie Rowland, Eva and Joe Rowland, Mildred Rowland and Ruth and Bill Mayfield.
Also, devoted friend, Professor Christa Hungate of Johnson City, Tennessee; treasured friends Sharon Fisher, Coleen Armstrong, John Barron, Glen and Angie Stanton, Drs. Beverly Guterman and Robert Weisman, Dr. Kate March, Martha Kinsey, Dale Whitman, Roberta Wiener and Lona Ann Prichard. Also, devoted university colleague Dr. Rick Fairman and his family––and longtime companion of 27 years, John Curley.
Condolences may be sent to Webster Funeral Home, 3080 Homeward Way, Fairfield, Ohio 45014 or e-mailed to www.websterfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Bob Dizney Writing Center. Checks should be made payable to Antioch University McGregor and mailed to: Bob Dizney Writing Center, c/o Antioch University McGregor, 900 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Attn: Deena Hummel.
Contributions may also be sent to the Berea College Library. Checks should be made payable to The Berea College Library Fund and mailed to: Berea College. CPO 2216, Berea, Kentucky 40404. Attn: Dorothy Anglin.
