 Robert C. Schweik 1927 - 2006 |
A memorial service will be held for the late Robert C. Schweik, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Rosch Recital Hall at 5 p.m. Dr. Schweik, a beloved and respected member of the English Department faculty, died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, Oct. 22.
He began teaching at Fredonia in 1969, received Distinguished Teaching Professor status in 1978 and retired in 1999. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Schweik sponsored the popular Bulwer-Lytton Contests on campus. Dr. Schweik was the first English faculty member to integrate the use of microcomputers in composition classes, and was one of the driving forces behind the addition to the Reed Library.
While his scholarship focused primarily on Thomas Hardy’s novels and poetry, he also wrote extensively on John Stuart Mill, Robert Browning, and the interrelationship of literature, art, and music.
During his retirement, he served as Vice President for the Thomas Hardy Society (in England) and the Thomas Hardy Association (in the United States).
At the turn of the millenium, in July 2000, he was honored internationally in Dorchester, England, when the Hardy Association presented him with the published book, "Days To Recollect: Essays in Honour of Robert Schweik." The "festschrift" included essays by 12 scholars on the value of Dr. Schweik's work and exceptional career. A highlight of that meeting, it significantly capped a scholarly reputation that began in 1968 when he was a young scholar invited to make a presentation at the first Thomas Hardy Conference held in Dorchester.
Dr. Schweik received his Ph.D. in Literature from Notre Dame University, and taught for 15 years at Marquette University prior to joining SUNY Fredonia.
He is survived by his wife Joanne and their adult children, Susan and Charles. Donations can be made to the Robert Schweik Fund to support the English Department at SUNY Fredonia c/o the Fredonia College Foundation.
