Will Risley was a passionate reader of Spanish literature and shared this passion throughout Van Hise’s classrooms, as well as its corridors. He could talk endlessly about the works of the nineteenth-century writer Benito Pérez Galdós and the novels of the Spanish Civil War. Among these, his favorite was Réquiem por un campesino español by Ramón Sender. Will was a friendly and supportive mentor to his younger colleagues in the Modern Peninsular section, and his gregarious nature enriched the social life of our entire department. A joyful conversationalist, everyone who knew him fondly remembers him standing at his or a colleague’s office door, joking and laughing. Time seemed to pass so quickly, and his retirement came as a surprise to many of us. He seemed so young! He expressed a desire to spend more time with his family, and he did, while still finding time to stay connected with his former colleagues and friends, sharing readings, and offering heartfelt congratulations as we advanced in our careers. We will miss him deeply and will forever remember his generous, convivial spirit and the warm, engaging way he made us all feel at home in our department.
You can find Professor Risley’s memorial here.