My deepest sympathies Lesley. I was so happy to reconnect with him on my visit to Victoria in 2021. His sharp mind and endearing manner made him one of my favourite people and my all-time favourite professor. He helped me believe in myself when I needed it, and pushed me to be better all the time.

I am so sorry that I will miss the chance to see him again, but I will cherish every memory. He was a rare person, and I am so lucky to have known him. 

Ed Pechter was my long time colleague at Concordia University.  He was a respected literary critic and academic.  His publications will significantly outlive him

My deepest sympathy to Lesley, David, Beth, Ben and Eli. Brilliant, hilariously funny, unfailingly kind, hip, learned, caring, considerate, loyal, gracious...I can't think of a favorable adjective that wouldn't suit him. Our friendship of over six decades immeasurably enriched my life. From now on I'll have to imagine what he would say in response to a confidence, an observation or a shared memory. His absence will be a presence, but I will always be grateful to have known him and had him as an enduring, constant friend.

Dear Lesley.

So saddened to learn of your loss.  I enjoyed our meetings with Ed and the conversations that followed.  Although I may not have had the luxury of knowing you both personally for a lengthy period of time as others have written, I am thankful to have been witness to your loving and good natured relationship.  He will be missed.      


O I shall miss Ed Pechter - humane, funny, smart, original, thoughtful, generous. Struggling to teach my first grad seminar 35 years ago, I was thrilled to get an envelope in the mail filled with his teaching notes. We shared a passion for Othello, and he shared a draft of his Norton introduction with me. His critical book on Othello is so astute, so irreverent, so original. At one point we considered moving to Victoria, and I’ll always remember his and Lesley’s hospitality. In deep gratitude for the gift of his mentorship and in sincere sympathy for this enormous loss, Christina (Christy).

Dear Leslie,
I heard through Alison that Ed had recently passed and I wanted to give you my best. Although it’s been many many years, I’m sure you remember me well, as I do you. Sending you a huge warm hug over many miles.
Ken Birss

Ed was a swimming companion, erudite and one of the finest gentlemen I have know. A great loss to Lesley and his family but also to those who knew him.

Ed was such an important part of my career as an academic. Indeed, he is a very good part of the reason that I have a career as an academic. He was generous and open-minded, but he was also willing to cast a skeptical eye at whatever counted as the latest "new thing" in academic literary criticism. We sometimes disagreed on such matters, but I increasingly agreed with him as the years went by. He messaged a few months ago to tell me that John Guillory's new book on the discipline of literary criticism was about to come out. As I have read some of the book over the last month or so, I had been thinking about comparing notes with him on the book and on the state of academic literary studies more generally. It was always the intellectual issue closest to his heart. I've learned so much from him, intellectually and personally. He is deeply mourned by his colleagues at Concordia. My condolences to Lesley, David, and all of his family.   

Ed was my teacher many years ago he had a huge effect on my decision to pursue literary studies My condolences to the family sad news indeed

Esther Frank Montreal

I knew Ed from his time at Concordia University and ACUTE. He was very kind to me, and I always enjoyed our conversations and the time we spent in each other's company. My heart goes out to Lesley, David, and their family.

He was endlessly curious and good-humored, especially with young scholars. He’d remind me that when you first go to SAA, you know no one and when you retire, you know no one.  Likely, this was a catchall used by many seasoned SAA attendees, but it remains true.
Now with his passing, it is truer for me than before.
I’ll miss you Ed.  Go with God… or hermeneutics.  Whatever gets ya there.


Ed Pechter was my mentor, my model, my best friend in the English Department of Sir George Williams University (which has become Concordia University, Montreal).  Perspicacious, unpretentious, right about things, constantly relied on for sharp conversation.  A sweet person.  In his writing his voice will persist in its direct turns and the pointing out of nonsense.  All the more needed.   

In the midst of broken-hearted sympathy with his family and all who have known him, Eyvind Ronquist

From Jack Foley, old friend:



two days
before
your 82nd
birthday
in Hawaii
on holiday
perhaps
to celebrate
that birthday
suddenly
gone. 
the surprise
of dying.
we might have
discussed it
in the old
days.
I never knew
your birthday
was so near
my son’s.
“Rome, Pechter,”
said Arthur Mizener,
“that’s the place
for people
like you and me.”
but it wasn’t
Rome,
was it.

. 

ON THE DEATH OF A SCHOLAR

Shakespeare
has heard the news
and wept.
how do we live
but through the intelligence
of our admirers?
how endure
but by their love?

—Jack Foley, old friend


OBITUARY

Edward L. Pechter

12 February, 1941 – 10 February, 2023

Borthwick Kauaʻi Mortuary

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