Harvey's been gone for 30 years. A guy driving a truck was distracted by his kids fighting in the back seat and he swerved into Harvey's lane in upstate New York, killing him instantly and nearly killing his brother Mitch. Harvey was on his way to see his mother on Mother's Day. Ironically, that same day, the New York Times wrote a glowing review of his newly published book, Tuning the Rig, about his adventures aboard a refurbished 19th century whaling ship that he spent a few months on, traveling from Boston to the Arctic Circle and back. It was a great book and I say that not just because he was my friend. Every paragraph had a hook or a revelation. Every word was crafted carefully. It took him 7 years to write it and it was exactly that kind of perfectionism that Dan Smirlock and I experienced first hand in our many years as close friends of his. He was a tough taskmaster but toughest on himself. It's really sad to think that a lifetime has gone by without him and that he'll just be a distant memory at this reunion. He was 38 and preparing to write another book about his time in Kenya with the Peace Corps. Harvey walked the walk. He was voted Most Likely to Succeed and he was well on his way to finding happiness as well as success. When great men are unable to fulfill their destiny, it leaves a hole in the rest of us.
Beautifully said Andy...I lost my yearbook after being flooded by Sandy, but I will never forget what Harvey wrote: "My mother says I'm a snippy hippie!" He was a kind and giving soul, taken from this plane way too soon.
Thanks, Andy, and well said. If it's any comfort, I'm sure Harvey would have seen that stellar NYT review ahead of time. TUNING THE RIG was a brilliant book, and if Harvey hadn't been snatched away so young, I think he would have put out a whole body of fine writing. The day I learned of his death is the same day the book appeared in my mailbox, sent and dedicated by Harvey.. It was painful to read something so good and not be able to call him up and talk about my favorite bits.I wish he'd had more time. He made good use of every minute he did have.
The other thing I remember about Harvey is how kind he was. Genuine, bone-deep kindness--a rare quality in high school or anywhere else.
Thank you, Andy, Carol, and Barbara. I saw Harvey's name on the list of classmates that passed away. I was not aware of the details of his death. I did not know he passed so long ago. I am both saddened and more than a bit shocked by this news. I was always a great admirer of Harvey's intellect and kind nature. He was a nice guy. I have a "Harvey" story I would like to share. Some of you may remember it.
Back in the day, when we were changing the world, our parents and our school administrators were scratching their heads trying to figure out what was going on in ours. They took issue with our hair length and our skirt lengths. We seemed to be protesting everything. Cut to Dr. Wallace scouring the hallways staring into his pupils' pupils searching for any signs of abnormal dilation and red, watery eyes. Cut to us, partying at Goldman's house and protesting the war, all in our love beads and tie-dyed splendor.This is where Harvey comes in. One administrative action brought unexpected, but tremendous unity to a school population used to cliques and side-taking. Hawks and doves, jocks and hippies, nerds and cheerleaders, the A.V. Squad and girls, Cardinals and Silvers, and even Skunks and Bazoomas came together in a roar of protest. This was the day the administration said we could no longer wear blue jeans to school......a day that would live in infamy andthe day Harvey Oxenhorn became the People's Champion. Dr. Wallace called an after school meeting for students to share their concerns regarding the new dress code. He asked for it and he got it. Harvey was angry. We were all angry. They would have to pull our jeans off our cold, dead bodies.....kind of. While we were all angry, Harvey came prepared with both barrels loaded. He was there to lead and he was there to empty both barrels. He defended us as only Harvey Oxenhorn could. I was sitting to his left and I was amazed. Harvey was brilliant and courageous that afternoon. He skillfully walked the tightrope between smart and smartass, (a skilllevel I personally did not achieve until many years later). Harvey was respectful, but forceful. He held his audience in the palm of his hand. Even Dr. Wallace had to admit Harvey "kicked butt' (I'm paraphrasing). That was the day we did not just win the battle, we changed the world.....well our little word, anyway. Thank you, Harvey Oxenhorn. Thank you, Champ!
Harvey Oxenhorn, director of the public policy communications program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, died in an automobile accident Saturday in Hillsdale, N.Y. He was 38 years old and lived in Cambridge, Mass.
Dr. Oxenhorn was on leave from Harvard and was in residence in Yaddo, a retreat for writers, artists and composers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
A writer of prose and poetry as well as an educator, he was the author of ''Tuning the Rig,'' an account of an Arctic expedition to study the humpback whale, published by Harper & Row last month. At his death he was at work on a book about Kenya, where he taught for two years.
Dr. Oxenhorn also wrote ''Elemental Things: The Poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid.'' His poems have appeared in several magazines.
He was born in New York and received a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and a doctorate from Stanford. He taught at Stanford and at Tufts before joining the Harvard faculty in 1983.
Dr. Oxenhorn is survived by his mother, Ruth, of Hillsdale; a brother, Mitchel, of New York, and a sister, Mera Flaumenhaft of Annapolis, Md.
Andrew Kornfeld
Harvey's been gone for 30 years. A guy driving a truck was distracted by his kids fighting in the back seat and he swerved into Harvey's lane in upstate New York, killing him instantly and nearly killing his brother Mitch. Harvey was on his way to see his mother on Mother's Day. Ironically, that same day, the New York Times wrote a glowing review of his newly published book, Tuning the Rig, about his adventures aboard a refurbished 19th century whaling ship that he spent a few months on, traveling from Boston to the Arctic Circle and back. It was a great book and I say that not just because he was my friend. Every paragraph had a hook or a revelation. Every word was crafted carefully. It took him 7 years to write it and it was exactly that kind of perfectionism that Dan Smirlock and I experienced first hand in our many years as close friends of his. He was a tough taskmaster but toughest on himself. It's really sad to think that a lifetime has gone by without him and that he'll just be a distant memory at this reunion. He was 38 and preparing to write another book about his time in Kenya with the Peace Corps. Harvey walked the walk. He was voted Most Likely to Succeed and he was well on his way to finding happiness as well as success. When great men are unable to fulfill their destiny, it leaves a hole in the rest of us.
Carol D'Amico
Beautifully said Andy...I lost my yearbook after being flooded by Sandy, but I will never forget what Harvey wrote: "My mother says I'm a snippy hippie!" He was a kind and giving soul, taken from this plane way too soon.
Barbara Rogan
Thanks, Andy, and well said. If it's any comfort, I'm sure Harvey would have seen that stellar NYT review ahead of time. TUNING THE RIG was a brilliant book, and if Harvey hadn't been snatched away so young, I think he would have put out a whole body of fine writing. The day I learned of his death is the same day the book appeared in my mailbox, sent and dedicated by Harvey.. It was painful to read something so good and not be able to call him up and talk about my favorite bits.I wish he'd had more time. He made good use of every minute he did have.
The other thing I remember about Harvey is how kind he was. Genuine, bone-deep kindness--a rare quality in high school or anywhere else.
Ira Margulies
Thank you, Andy, Carol, and Barbara. I saw Harvey's name on the list of classmates that passed away. I was not aware of the details of his death. I did not know he passed so long ago. I am both saddened and more than a bit shocked by this news. I was always a great admirer of Harvey's intellect and kind nature. He was a nice guy. I have a "Harvey" story I would like to share. Some of you may remember it.
Back in the day, when we were changing the world, our parents and our school administrators were scratching their heads trying to figure out what was going on in ours. They took issue with our hair length and our skirt lengths. We seemed to be protesting everything. Cut to Dr. Wallace scouring the hallways staring into his pupils' pupils searching for any signs of abnormal dilation and red, watery eyes. Cut to us, partying at Goldman's house and protesting the war, all in our love beads and tie-dyed splendor. This is where Harvey comes in. One administrative action brought unexpected, but tremendous unity to a school population used to cliques and side-taking. Hawks and doves, jocks and hippies, nerds and cheerleaders, the A.V. Squad and girls, Cardinals and Silvers, and even Skunks and Bazoomas came together in a roar of protest. This was the day the administration said we could no longer wear blue jeans to school......a day that would live in infamy and the day Harvey Oxenhorn became the People's Champion. Dr. Wallace called an after school meeting for students to share their concerns regarding the new dress code. He asked for it and he got it. Harvey was angry. We were all angry. They would have to pull our jeans off our cold, dead bodies.....kind of. While we were all angry, Harvey came prepared with both barrels loaded. He was there to lead and he was there to empty both barrels. He defended us as only Harvey Oxenhorn could. I was sitting to his left and I was amazed. Harvey was brilliant and courageous that afternoon. He skillfully walked the tightrope between smart and smartass, (a skilllevel I personally did not achieve until many years later). Harvey was respectful, but forceful. He held his audience in the palm of his hand. Even Dr. Wallace had to admit Harvey "kicked butt' (I'm paraphrasing). That was the day we did not just win the battle, we changed the world.....well our little word, anyway. Thank you, Harvey Oxenhorn. Thank you, Champ!
Michael Quinn
From New York Times
Harvey Oxenhorn, 38, Kennedy School Aide
Harvey Oxenhorn, director of the public policy communications program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, died in an automobile accident Saturday in Hillsdale, N.Y. He was 38 years old and lived in Cambridge, Mass.
Dr. Oxenhorn was on leave from Harvard and was in residence in Yaddo, a retreat for writers, artists and composers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
A writer of prose and poetry as well as an educator, he was the author of ''Tuning the Rig,'' an account of an Arctic expedition to study the humpback whale, published by Harper & Row last month. At his death he was at work on a book about Kenya, where he taught for two years.
Dr. Oxenhorn also wrote ''Elemental Things: The Poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid.'' His poems have appeared in several magazines.
He was born in New York and received a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and a doctorate from Stanford. He taught at Stanford and at Tufts before joining the Harvard faculty in 1983.
Dr. Oxenhorn is survived by his mother, Ruth, of Hillsdale; a brother, Mitchel, of New York, and a sister, Mera Flaumenhaft of Annapolis, Md.