Had Rollvag ever known Will Stone he would surely have included him among his Giants in the Earth. I was fortunate enough to be included in his 1980 NEH Summer Seminar on "The Novel and the Market Society," which he led with his characteristic combination of intellectual rigor, generosity and good humor. Again I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed Will's company last Thanksgiving weekend when I found him every bit as vibrantly engaged and generous as ever. Hoping to see him again on my annual pilgrimage to the West Coast, I already feel his loss. But if ever there were a life led with purpose, surely Will Stone lived it. My condolances to all who loved him.

Will was a giant, the like of which will not be seen again. Brilliant, witty, wise, kind - his sure hand and light touch as a dissertation director was what made possible my earning the Ph.D. degree in 1975. A year later he attended my wedding at Mem Chu, and ever after he delighted in telling assembled crowds that the Catholic 'nuptials' (his word) had not simply joined me to my wife (of now almost 40 years) but 'riveted' us together. We accompanied him on one of Bill Wyman's legendary Sierra pack trips, where Will was the chief raconteur at the campfire. I will always remember (but cannot recite here) one limerick that Will delivered with perfect timing, and then burst into that memorable laugh. His friends will remember it too, I'm sure - featuring one lusty gaucho named Bruno. My wife was intent, without pole or hook, to catch a fish one night in one of those high mountain lakes, and after some effort she did manage to land an undersize specimen of trout, which Will, chivalrous to the core, insisted on cleaning, frying, and eating next morning for breakfast. There was enough for two bites, one for him and one for her. We will miss you, good friend.