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Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 22:43:00 -0600
Sender: H-Net Western History List <H-WEST@H-NET.MSU.EDU>
Subject: Farewell to Eleanor Gehres
From: JMonnett@aol.com
On March 18, the Western history profession lost one of its most gracious
patrons when Eleanor Gehres, for twenty-five years the manager of the
Western History Department of Denver Public Library, lost a two year
battle with Cancer. A long time member of the Western History
Association, Eleanor chaired two of its national conventions in Denver,
both of which broke attendance records. She was the first woman member of
the Denver Posse of Westerners started in 1945. For twenty-five years she
taught a section of Colorado History at Metropolitan State College of
Denver.
For a quarter of a century Eleanor has generously helped countless
students, scholars, and writers from around the world with their research
in the archives of the Rocky Mountain region's grandest historical
collection, always showing the utmost concern and respect for anyone
interested in Western history, no matter what their level of experience or
historical viewpoint. Recently, Patricia Limerick said of her: "If you
went to the book display area at the Western History [Department], and you
started going booth to booth, reading the acknowledgments in Western
history books, I believe the name Eleanor Gehres would appear with greater
frequency than anyone else's. Having thanked Eleanor in print is one of
the identifying marks of the serious Western historian."
Last night, March 30, 2000, more than one-hundred scholars, librarians,
colleagues, and friends gathered at the Denver Public Library despite a
serious snowstorm, to celebrate her life. Tributes were given by many
including former Colorado governor, Richard Lamm. Stated Denver Mayor
Wellington Webb, who worked as a youngster shelving books at DPL, "Eleanor
has been one of Colorado's great literary landmarks."
Eleanor Gehres enthusiastically continued to help people with their
research questions until the last weeks. Some were unaware of her
illness. She had an unquenchable zest for life that she could not help
but pass on to others. She helped teach us how to live and even in the
end she has taught us something about how to die.
John H. Monnett
Metropolitan State College of Denver