President Tom Hudnut's message to faculty and staff:

As the sun rose this morning, Carl Wilson, a teacher at Harvard and Harvard-Westlake from 1970 until his retirement in 2006, died peacefully. He had been hospitalized in late December but was happy to return to the home he loved and shared with his partner, Dan Gumbleton. The two of them had been at the school’s holiday party on December 19, their last social event together, and they had had a wonderful time seeing so many old friends and former colleagues.

Carl was devoted to both the teaching of art and to the art of teaching. He loved his profession and everything about it, but most of all he cherished his students. It is noteworthy the number of alumni he heard from during his illness, including a visit from one whom he had taught in Tehran during the mid-60’s who flew out from Washington, DC, to see him, and I know how greatly he and Dan appreciated the visits, calls and notes from so many of you. This school meant the world to Carl; he never tired of it and he never stopped loving it.

Carl had a robust, yet gentle, sense of humor. He loved to laugh and to share good times with his friends. I never heard him speak ill of anyone. He was smart, interested in most everything, inquisitive and always eager to learn. He was able to teach without being didactic or pedantic and the depth and breadth of his knowledge were remarkable. He was free of the pomposity that frequently afflicts master teachers and he was a cultural omnivore if ever there was one.

He was also, and more importantly, a great friend and colleague if ever there was one.

There will be a memorial service in the Chapel at some point in the future and when that date is set, I will let you know. In the meantime, please join me in rejoicing in a life well and fully lived.

Letters of condolence may be sent to:

Dan Gumbleton
204 South Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101