Dr. John C. Fout (1937–2013)
An historian, scholar, writer, editor, and teacher, John taught at Bard from 1969 until his retirement in 2000.John was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 11, 1937. He received the BA and MA from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and the PhD from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. He founded the Journal of the History of Sexuality, then published by the University of Chicago Press, and served as its editor. He is survived by his companion Claude M. Cherry, in Hudson, New York, and three children, Justine Alyss Fout '96, Elizabeth Louise Fout '94, and John Eric Fout and his spouse, Angela, as well as his grandchildren, Krystov Alexander Fout and Savana Jane Fout.
REMEMBRANCES
Andrew F. Fowler '95Professor John Fout was my primary adviser in the mid-90s and served on my Senior Project Panel alongside Professors Lytle and Chace. I took as many of his courses as I could. He pushed me to see beyond the obvious and really engage with the realities, events and people behind the history texts we were reading. I will always remember fondly the many afternoons I spent with John and two other students for our small tutorials on German history -- classes John enthusiastically helped us create. Great discussions and great company. John was always generous with his time and it was clear he cared deeply about history, his job and the students and the College. I was deeply saddened to learn of his death, but I am very glad I had a chance to know him and be his student. Reading the accounts above and talking to other Bard alums confirmed what I already knew: John was a wonderful teacher and loved by many. My deepest condolences to his family and to Mr. Cherry.
Joshua Ledwell '96
Professor Fout's Nazi Germany and the Holocaust course was one of my most challenging Bard experiences. His typical acknowledgment of my comments on the readings reflected his high standards: "Okay ... someone go deeper ..." I frequently recall and try to pass on what I learned from him about totalitarianism and The Other. Thank you, Professor Fout.
Darren M. Mack '13
I am shocked and saddened to learn that Professor Fout has become an ancestor. I am a graduate from the Bard Prison Initiative and always enjoyed learning from him. He will definitely be missed.
Susan Mann '78
I am so very sad to hear about John Fout's death.
I arrived at Bard my freshman year as a European history major. Unfortunately, John, the only European history professor was on sabbatical. It was a year spent slogging through Roman history in which I had absolutely no interest in. The following fall, when John returned, I met an individual who was not only a tremendously gifted professor but a deeply caring mentor.
I will always cherish the years spent in John's classes and the hours spent in John's office, preparing for moderation and my senior project. I regret that my children have yet to experience such a gracious, insightful and student-centric professor.
My condolences to his children, grandchildren and Claude.
William Peirce '79
I took Russian and German history with John Fout nearly 40 years ago. I still remember his story of taking a trolly ride in Germany whenever I encounter insufferable bureaucracy. I think of his story of the "kritung". About six students sat in a intimate room on Stone Row listening to the story. That's probably not how it is spelled in German. He told us he spoke German well enough that German people thought he had an accent from some other part of Germany. He was doing research there sometime after the second world war. He told us that he tried to blend in by buying all of his clothes in Germany, even his socks. One day he took a trolly car ride. He got in, paid his fee and received a "kritong", or receipt. Then he was discovered to be a foreigner. He threw it on the trolly car floor and the other passengers were taken aback. They were angry at him for disposing of this worthless piece of paper. They pointed to the paper and said "You dropped your kritong".
John Fout was a great teacher.
Gennady Shkliarevsky, professor of History
It is with great sadness that I write this message. Our colleague Professor Emeritus of History John C. Fout passed away last night. Much of John's life was devoted to Bard. In the course of his illustrious career he left an indelible mark on this institution and in his professional field. John was one of the pioneers of Women and Gender Studies in America and here at Bard. He was the founder of the prestigious Journal of the History of Sexuality and served as its editor.
For many of us, John was a colleague and a loyal friend of many years. He generously gave of himself to many of us. John has been my friend since I came to Bard in 1985. He will remain my friend for the rest of my life. His advice, guidance, and support over the years were invaluable. I will miss him greatly.
Alice Stroup, Professor of History
I am pleased to second the comments that others have offered. John was instrumental in my coming to Bard, and for many years he was a close friend and wise mentor. I admired his dedication to the scholarly life, which also benefited the department by his insistence that we hire similarly productive scholars. In his own case, his special creativity included being one of the developers of two whole sub-disciplines of history. He was an inspiring teacher, with his own coterie of admiring fans, and he actively participated in all aspects of college life. His adherence to principle and his unwillingness to suffer fools gladly, qualities that can naturally cause friction, had many more salutary effects. He unquestionably made Bard a better place for all of us and he will be greatly missed.
Post Date: 06-21-2013