December 5, 2005

Dear Colleague,

      Happy Birthday to our dear friend and colleague, Yi-Fu Tuan !  Below are some birthday greetings sent in for you, with many happy returns of the day !

-- || --

Happy Birthday, Yi-Fu!

I still remember your interview with me when the Geography Department was trying to lure you to Wisconsin from Minnesota. David Ward had told me a little about you and had put me on my best behavior. One of David's persuasive arguments with me was that you would help fill an empty decade age hole in the department's skewed demography. In this he was trying to counter my preference for hiring promising younger (and cheaper) faculty members rather than more expensive senior ones. I always argued that we generally did better by growing our own stars than importing them in mid- or late-career.

You were the exception to my rule, however. After meeting you, I was much taken with your stimulating intellectual breadth coupled with a soft-spoken modesty. You wore your considerable attainments so lightly one could hardly notice, let alone be intimidated by them. I could understand why David Ward and the department wanted you so badly, and I instantly joined their ranks, then and later when your persistent Minnesota dean even made a trip to Madison to try to get you back!

Jean joins in wishing you the very best on your special day. We both have benefited greatly from your friendship.

Warmly,

---  Dave Cronon

-- || --

Dear Friend:

May we enjoy many more Saturday morning conversations with you at Starbucks.

--- Sally and Lee Hansen

-- || --

Happy Birthday, Yi-Fu,
Happy Birthday to you.....

A very warm wish, from a warm climate, for a very happy birthday. Your letters have given us many occasions to reflect, to nod in agreement, and even to dispute---all of which, I am sure, is what you have in mind!

Enjoy your birthday, and the years to come.

---  Bernie and Toby Cohen

-- || --

Dear Dr. Tuan,

We thank you for the books and publications which help us to understand our world and ourselves.
with the best wishes from Poland HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

--- Xenia Modrzejewska-Mrozowska
Department of Ethnology, University of Lodz, Poland

-- || --

Yi-Fu:

Happy birthday! I was pleased to be among the many people who were contacted about your birthday.

My wife, Sylvia, and I first heard you speak shortly after you came to the UW. The topic was Sherlock Holmes, and it was delightful. I began receiving Dear Colleague letters when you sent each one to the Chancellor's Office, after you came to the UW and while I was working for Donna Shalala. At my request you kept me on your mailing list when I lived in Idaho, Minnesota, Colorado and, more recently, back to Madison. I invariably find your letters, as well as your other writing, thoughtful and, sometimes, humorous and helpful. I often forward them to colleagues around the country.

I welcome this chance to thank you for sending me all of the Dear Colleague letters over the years, as well as the thought that has gone into each of them.

--- Harry Peterson

-- || --

Yi-Fu

Your Dear Colleague letters show me what it's like to a geographer in his mid-70s, exploring the "landscapes of the mind" even in retirement. Happy Birthday!

--- David Waskowski

-- || --

Happy Birthday, dear Teacher:

As a college student in my 40s, I came to geography with a sense of urgency. I was just one of thousands who heard you speak at an Association of American Geographers conference, and you reminded the audience that geography, like the earth, has infinite sides and the patterns of the night world were just as important as the day. This was an important moment for me. I realized that in my eagerness to get on with the next part of my life, I might miss exploring all the sides--wonderful and awful, dark and brilliantly-lit.

I have enjoyed our friendship in Wisconsin, and have been honored to help you bring Dear Colleague to a global readership.

---  Melanie McCalmont

-- || --

Best wishes,

From us all