Spring Break
URI professor known for 'tall tales' retires after 40 years at URI
Samantha Turner
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: News
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03/15/07 - For the past 40 years, R.B. Reaves has taught at the University of Rhode Island and called the Ocean State his home.
But after battling brain cancer and other illnesses for two years, the English professor retired in December to move to New Mexico with his wife.
"I'm not in any danger now," Reaves said. "It's just a matter of monitoring it for now, but I have a real problem with memory and remembering names and faces."
Reaves remains optimistic about the future of his health and plans in New Mexico.
"We're really looking forward to it," Reaves said. "I have early ties there and it just seemed like a good choice."
Despite leaving the university, Reaves cherishes his time spent at URI.
"I met a wonderful faculty here," he said. "I didn't expect to. Without many exceptions, they are wonderful people, excellent teachers and very supportive throughout my career. I was very surprised at the quality of the faculty and their willingness to help comrades."
Faculty members voiced their accolades of Reaves.
"He was an enormous help to me," English Department Chairwoman Jean Walton said. "He helped ease my way into the position [of chair]."
Another English professor, Josie Campbell, also agreed that Reaves helped with her transition to URI.
"He smoothed my entry into the profession," Campbell said. "He has been a good friend, a very good mentor."
To some students who had him as a professor, Reaves also served as a great mentor.
"I always think of him as a quiet and thoughtful man who emphasized literature as a refined form of human communication," said Ted Hilliard, a student of Reaves from 1969. "Good literature endures and so too does good teaching."
Along with his courses in the English Department, Reaves taught film classes. One focused on adaptations of Shakespeare in film.
"We both loved movies," Campbell said. "We have had many long chats about movies. One of the great things about professor Reaves is that we both love anything that flickers on the silver screen."
Walton said Reaves was also well-known among the staff and students for his "warm and witty anecdotes."
Campbell also recalled his stories, describing them as "tall tales."
"If I recall correctly, he is from Texas," Campbell said. "And Texans love to tell tall tales, tales that can't possibly happen to anybody but could have happened to him."
After 40 years at URI, Reaves will now have a new state to call home, as well as a new audience to tell his tall tales.
But after battling brain cancer and other illnesses for two years, the English professor retired in December to move to New Mexico with his wife.
"I'm not in any danger now," Reaves said. "It's just a matter of monitoring it for now, but I have a real problem with memory and remembering names and faces."
Reaves remains optimistic about the future of his health and plans in New Mexico.
"We're really looking forward to it," Reaves said. "I have early ties there and it just seemed like a good choice."
Despite leaving the university, Reaves cherishes his time spent at URI.
"I met a wonderful faculty here," he said. "I didn't expect to. Without many exceptions, they are wonderful people, excellent teachers and very supportive throughout my career. I was very surprised at the quality of the faculty and their willingness to help comrades."
Faculty members voiced their accolades of Reaves.
"He was an enormous help to me," English Department Chairwoman Jean Walton said. "He helped ease my way into the position [of chair]."
Another English professor, Josie Campbell, also agreed that Reaves helped with her transition to URI.
"He smoothed my entry into the profession," Campbell said. "He has been a good friend, a very good mentor."
To some students who had him as a professor, Reaves also served as a great mentor.
"I always think of him as a quiet and thoughtful man who emphasized literature as a refined form of human communication," said Ted Hilliard, a student of Reaves from 1969. "Good literature endures and so too does good teaching."
Along with his courses in the English Department, Reaves taught film classes. One focused on adaptations of Shakespeare in film.
"We both loved movies," Campbell said. "We have had many long chats about movies. One of the great things about professor Reaves is that we both love anything that flickers on the silver screen."
Walton said Reaves was also well-known among the staff and students for his "warm and witty anecdotes."
Campbell also recalled his stories, describing them as "tall tales."
"If I recall correctly, he is from Texas," Campbell said. "And Texans love to tell tall tales, tales that can't possibly happen to anybody but could have happened to him."
After 40 years at URI, Reaves will now have a new state to call home, as well as a new audience to tell his tall tales.
