University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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PAUL ROSSEAU BELLON DE PONT Assistant Professor of French nnd Registrar of the University. Died at Ann Arhor, March I, 1906, Aged 66. When a man ' s life is ended, when death has set its seal on eye and lip, standing in the shadow, we look back upon his career with added perspective, and with a better sense of proportion. We then discover, that certain characteristics, which in life were accepted as a matter of course, stand out in such bold relief, that they become the most cherished memories of the departed friend, and often condition our final judgment of his work. Appreciation of a man ' s scholastic attainments and contributions may exist with no trace of the sense of the loss we experience when one whose personality endeared him to us is taken. Fortunate indeed is the man whose death brings sorrow to many hearts, and casts a shadow over many lives. Of such the University of Michigan has known many, but no one can mistake my meaning when I say that possibly no death, in recent years, has touched so many lives as that of Professor de Pont. He was brought into peculiarly intimate relations with the student body by rea- son of his official position as Registrar. The duties of that position he discharged with rare fidelity and lovaltv. As a teacher, he gave himself utterly to his students, and few can appreciate, for few have known, the hours he devoted to them outside of recitations. Many who read these lines, will remember how freely he gave himself to them, and how willingly he sacrificed a leisure hour how few he had! to assist them in their work, for charity and sympathy conditioned the performance of his duties, even when severity was demanded. In spite of his kindliness of nature, and the sympathetic promptings of a warm heart, he always insisted upon a strict observance of all rules. Evasions of duty he frowned upon, and trifling with principles he never condoned. Withal lie was just. The universal testimony of students to the effect that he was square, indicates their appreciation of his absolute fairness, and his keen sense of justice. Their expressions of regret and sorrow, prompted bv genuine affection for the man, reveal how deeply he impressed himself upon them. Who could resist the charm of his smile and his courtly manners. The winning smile, the warm grasp of the hand, the kindling eve, revealed hisabsolute sincerity. The graces of manner, inherited from a distinguished ancestry, not put on, as it were, were the outward expressions of a manly, chival- rous nature. Mis mind was well stored with knowledge of books, and experience had brought to him judgment of men, and all that goes to the formation of character. His appreciation of literature was deep ami true, and he loved the classic literature of his native France with ever increasing ardor. His love for the drama, for painting and sculpture, was a part of his being but an intimate know- ledge of masterworks in these fields, and an ac- quaintance with technical processes, made his enjoyment rational and justified. His pleasure in them was genuine, and his love for them was devoid of sensuous qualities, and had no trace of the sentimentality that so often mas- querades as feeling. Hut of all the arts, music appealed to him most powerfully. Gifted with fine artistic instincts, and con- siderable training, no one can appreciate how much the development of music in this com- munity is indebted to him. Animated by singleness of purpose, he brought to the ser- vice of these musical interests tireless energy, rare enthusiasm, and boundless optimism. He was closely identified with every musical en- terprise, from the very beginning of the mod- est singing club, which later developed into the Choral Union, up to his death. For the last seventeen vears he has been its President. He was also one of the most valued members of the University Musical Society. He leaves a place in these organizations that will be dif- ficult, if not impossible, to fill. Of a social disposition, he was never happier than on those occasions when he and his hospitable wife welcomed his colleagues, his friends and students to his home. He found his greatest delight in serving others. Because he did this, and because he was ever willing to sac- rifice himself for others, the memory of Paul Rosseau Bellon de Pont will be enshrined in the hearts of all who were so fortunate as to have known him well. PAUL K..SSKA, HF.U.ON me PONT ALBERT A. STANLEY.

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Board of Regents JAMKS B. ANGKLL, M..D., PRESIDENT HON. ARTHl ' R HIM. HON. HKNRY S. DKAN . H..N. 1.KY1 L. HARBOUR HON. FRANK W. FLETCHER II. .N. HKNRV V. CAKKV HON. I.OVAI. !:. KNAITEN HON. I ' KIKR WHITE HON. VAI.TKR II. SAWN ' K.R JAMKS H. WADE, SECRETARY HARRISON SOULE, TREASURER HUN. PATRICK II. KKM.KV Si II kINI I ' ADI ' N I ill- ' I ' l ' Bl.lr iNSTRl ' CnilN Saginaw Ann Arbor Detroit Alpena Manistee Grand Rapids Marquette Hillsdale