In Gratitude

Hayward Alker has long been and remains a titanic figure in my psyche. His physical passage from this world alters that status not one bit. His passing does, however, take from humanity one of its more avid allies and proponents.

Calling Hayward enthusiastic about his discipline, and about perpetually learning and teaching that discipline, is by now well-worn cliche. Yet it must be repeated and again: Hayward was enthusiastic, so enthusiastic that his body would actually vibrate with excitement, so enthusiastic that the very space around him was affected and the people therein could not only see and hear, but feel his enthusiasm. The man was quite literally animated by what he knew and by what he wanted to share. And, yes, the corollary cliche is that his enthusiasm was often contagious.

More than anyone in my experience, Hayward Alker taught me how little I knew. For the intellectually honest, this may be the greatest learning. Yet more than merely casting some light on a vast darkness, Hayward pointed and prodded me toward means of discovery and insight. Yes, he taught me scads about international relations and social science, but his more precious gift came through a fairly relentless endeavor to teach all of us how to learn, how to investigate, how to attain and arrange scholarly knowledge so as to push back firmly against the constraints of human ignorance. This pushing back may be the root of all hope and of all progress. What more could be asked of a teacher and of a mentor?

The man himself can be missed, but the spirit is right here with me. I’m eternally grateful.

K. Alan Kronstadt