Joe Arden

The single grearest strength of the Maryland Overseas Program with which I worked for 40 years was always the teaching faculty.  In all the years and the many classes that Bill taught with the European Division, he embodied this great strength.

While Director of the European Division in the 1980s and 1990s, I was quite aware of how fortunate Maryland was---and even more so his students---that Bill was with the program.  But, I began to know him better personally only after I was no longer with Maryland.

Somehow, we learned that we shared the same birthday---and we were pleased annually to exchange e-mail birthday wishes.  With appropriate joking references to growing ever older together.  Then over the last 15 years, whenever visiting Germany, I always looked forward to a lunch meeting in Heidelberg with Bill and a few other former Maryland faculty.  But,...in September 2022, Bill was unable to come to the luncheon.  We were all saddened by his absence.

All the more, am I saddened now.

Beyond question, Larry greatly merits all of the highly favorably comments that colleagues and friends have offered about him.  Around the world and over the decades, as we worked together, I always had the greatest respect for Larry---as a colleague and a friend.  He was a remarkably decent human being---in every sense of the term.

Maryland was indeed fortunate that Larry cast his professional fate with the Overseas Programs for so many years and later in Adelphi as well.  I was indeed fortunate to know him.

I met Bill and Atusko in 1972.  At the time, I was an Area Director in Heidleberg.  In a letter, that quite came out of the blue, Bill wrote and said that he would very much like to teach with the European Division and would like to be assigned to southern Spain.  In his letter, he also referred to his love affair with Flamenco.and the guitar.  In my reply, I thanked Bill for his interest, informed him, though, that at the time, none of the installations in Spain needed geology courses.  But...I also asked if he might be interested in teaching in Crete.  Immediate return reply:  YES.    So, en route to Crete, he and Atsuko came to Heidelberg...to "be processed." Thus, began what was to be Bill's 35 year experience with Maryland.

In 1975, after having spent three years teaching at widely varying geographic locations from Ethopia to Turkey to Belgium, Bill transferred to the Asia (then Far East) Division.  A few years later, Bill assumed the role of Area Director, Japan,and later also served in several other senior administrative roles with UMUC in Asia.  During this same time period, Atsuko began teaching Japanese with the Asian Division and some years later took on the role of Coordinator/Japanese Language.   

In the many years that we worked together, I was particularly struck by Bill's sense of decency.  He always saw the best in the persons with whom he worked.  He was also always interested in broadening his knowledge... and had an ongoing love affair with 'far away places with strange sounding names.' 

I last saw Bill...in November 2014, when we both attended the OMA Gathering held in Naples, Florida. It was good to see him then...and certainly it  was a great pleasure knowing him for the 35 years that we worked together..   

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I met Dr. Ernest Hankamer during academic year 1971-72 when he was teaching at the Munich Campus, and I was an Area Director/Academic Coordinator in Heidelberg.  In 1974-75, when he was appointed  "Area Director, U.K. and Iceland," he and I served together as Area  Directors...reporting to Ben Massey.

Then in 1981, when I became Director/European Division, Ernie and I again worked together as he served in his Area Director role until 1988.  When the Schwabish Gemund Campus was established in 1992, I took considerable pride...in being able to persuade Ernie and Frauke to relinquish their enjoyable 'retirement' lives, which saw the two of them travelling to xxx desirable locations to teach with Maryland and to instead become the first Dean of the S.G. Campus.  Ernie---with admirable assistance from Frauke, particularly in interacting with the local German community---served superbly in that role until again 'retiring' in 1995,  But, the classroom continued to beckon and for the next several years, Ernie taught...both in Europe and Asia.

Perhaps more than any other person with whom I interacted during my years with UMUC, Ernie was indeed "A Gentleman and a Scholar."  The University of Maryland was most fortunate that he was involved for so many years with UMUC.

My last interaction with Ernie was just a very few days before he passed away.  I had sent him a message in which called to his attention the upcoming October Heidelberg OMA Gathering.  He replied really by return mail...informing me that he and Frauke were greatly looking forward to coming to Heidelberg for the Gathering.  And, letting me know that, in fact, he had already registered.

The recent passing of Ben Massey...is another indication of the end of a quite remarkable educational epoch: namely, "The Maryland/UMUC Overseas Program."

By so noting, I do not, of course, mean that there is now no longer a UMUC Overseas Program.  Obviously, there is and like most OMA folks, I wish that program the Very Best.   But, in reality---the Overseas Program, which most of us reading this "In Memory" posting knew, embraced, and with which we identified has not, in fact, existed in anything like the same manner/form/style---and certainly spirit---for some several years now.

With regard to Ben---and the Overseas Program---to which probably most of us reading this posting were introduced in the 1960s/1970s/1980s/1990s---I want to offer the following:

 ----  The single greatest strength of the Maryland Overseas Program in the above era...was the "UMUC Faculty." And,..in his administrative roles as Area Director, Division Director, Chancellor and finally President,,,

           Ben recognized this reality and in his management style and decisions always fostered an academic/administrative environment that furthered and supported this understanding of the crucial role of faculty. 

------  One way to view the history of the Maryland Overseas Program is to acknowledge, honor and thank Ray Ehrensberger...for having been the single most important player wth regard to the establishment of the Overseas Program and for having enabled it to grow and develop.

         But, at the same time, to acknowledge, honor, and thank Ben Massey...who by his values and leadership...fostered the environment that those of us who joined the program from the 1960s to the 1990s...so enjoyed/so loved and with which we so closely identified.  Certainly, in very large measure, Ben created and shaped the 'UMUC Overseas Corporate Culture' of that earlier era...in which so many of us thrived.  

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In my case, I first met Ben in August 1969 in Tokyo...when he transferred from England where he had been United Kingdom/Area Director...and when I was teaching with the then Far East Division.  In the summer of 1971 after having returned to Europe as Director, Ben asked me to become the Area Director for "Benelux, Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa."  Until his departure from UMUC in 1998, I was to report to Ben in one form or other for the next 27 years. And, until his death, maintained a quite close relationship with him.  

In every sense of the terms, Ben was my mentor---and a friend.   Indeed, for all of us who worked with the Overseas Programs...in that Golden Era mentioned above,..

Ben Massey was a mentor...and a friend.

Bill and I first met in the early 1970s...when we both were working in admin jobs in Heidelberg.  In addition to our time in the office together, I also went---on quite a few occasions---to the apt where he and Carol lived. To be able ot view on Armed Forces T.V....American sports.

Then, throughout the 1980s and into early 1990s, when Bill was in the Dean's role in Munich, and I was in Heidelberg as European. Director, we saw one another three-four times a year...combination of Bill coming up to HDB for admin staff meetings, and I...going down to Munich on liason visits.  On the latter occasions, almost always, the three of us---Bill/Carol/myself....would also be certain to enjoy a dinner together at local restaurants.

It was a pleasure to know Bill...to interact with him, professionally and personally.  He was a gracious gentleman...in every sense of the term.  Maryland...was MOST fortunate that he was involved the manner he was..for so many years.  In addition, the students, faculty, and administrative staff...were indeed even more fortunate that he served as Dean at the Munich Campus for the years and in the manner that he did.

Thanks, Bill.  For everything.    Joe

Yes, for sure, Bernie Sinsheimer...was a quite remarkable person. In many ways...and certainly he embodied what many students...particularly of that earlier era...imagined a university professor to be.  He was also a gentlement of the Old School...in all the positive ways.

I first met Bernie in 1971...when I was appointed to the the position of "Gov/History Coordinator" for the European Division.  From our first meeting, I certainly realized that his command of faculty historical information/material...was extensive/extensive/extensive.    

During the 1970s and 1980s...he and I met quite often, usually in Heidelberg, or in the K-Town area, but also a couple of times in Paris, where he lived...and from where he communted to teach with the European Division.

Thanks a lot, Ron...for having taken the lead in ensuring that Bernie's obituary has been posted.

Joe Arden

Joe!

My copy of "The Achiever" came today and, lo and behold, there you were! And Paula, and Steve, and a host of others. Why do I never tire of all those crazy anecdotes about life at UMUC?

Adriano got from me that same wanderlust of which you speak. The European Division was the best home we ever had!!! Thanks again for the faith you put in my abilities and the support you gave us both while we struggled and bloomed. You were always there for us. You absolutely made the difference in both our lives.

I first met Barbara...in Seoul.  In either 1967 or 1968...at a Maryland function of some sort. We spoke on that first occasion...and several more in late 60s when I was teaching with the then Far East Division. I also recall reading/learning from Barbara's newspapers articles in The Korean Times.  Then in late 1970s,when I returned to Asia as Director of the Maryland program, i again saw Barbara quite regularly there in Korea.

Still later, I saw and enjoyed Barbara's quick wit and laughter ...in Germany and also still later in Boston.  She was a fine person.  UMUC was most fortunate...that she was as involved as she was...over so many years/decades.   And, I am very glad to have known Barbara Mintz.

It is a pleasure...to echo all the positive comments offered by others...about Chris.  More than any other of his many admirable qualities, I was always tremendously impressed by his broad-ranging intellect. The European Division,his many friends and professional colleagues, and most of all, his students...were most fortunate that Chris was involved with Maryland...in the manner he was.  

Please accept my deepest sympathies, Larua.  And, the very best to you.

Joe Arden