Tribute Wall
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Elizabeth Irwin Janvier posted a condolence
Monday, September 13, 2021
Omg! I just learned of Dr Merrill’s passing.
He was my freshman English professor at UD.
I remember vividly, Sept 1975, he said to me,
“I’ve never met someone who can speak so well and write so well with so little knowledge of structural grammar! I learned so much from him! He will forever be one of my favorite teachers!
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Karen Bowden uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, February 14, 2021
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Uncle Tom first and foremost loved his family. I remember he invited me and my mom( his sister) to see and off broadway play written and performed by his daughter Kim. He was the proudest dad I could ever imagine. His love and pride in Kim never wavered. Liz was his anchor. She was there to help guide her parents in their difficult waning years. Patrick was always the free spirit who kept his parents entertained! Chuck and his family were a treasure for Tom.
Growing up Uncle Tom was in and out of our lives but maintained a close relationship with his sister through their mutual love of art. Tom was a scholar who had a quick wit and an intellectual curiosity. Once when visiting his brother- in-law's University office , he noticed a book on the shelf that was titled"How to Read a Book". He asked my professor father, ""How can I read that book, until I read that book!!!???" The last few years have brought me closer to Tom through phone calls and letters. I am grateful for this special time we had. Much love to the whole family. Here is a photo of Tom as a boy and his father....
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Cindy Diamadi posted a condolence
Friday, February 5, 2021
I have such fond memories of Tom. Whenever we met for a family dinner (and he did make me feel like family!), he always greeted me with warmth and humor. I miss his gentle presence in the world and think of him often, grateful for the time spent in his company. My condolences to all of his family - he will be missed.
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Joe Diamadi posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
I can't profess to knowing Tom all that well. Mostly our visits occurred over meals, almost always prepared by Liz, more often than not, during Thanksgiving. A while a good bit of our conversations had to do with whatever meaningless football game was on the tube at the time, we did occasionally dive into the political or historical. Tom was always thoughtful in conversation and always seemed to have viewpoints worth considering. Very humble and kind, quick to offer his thanks when you gave him a hand or offered him a glass of good red. A true gentleman at a time when there seems to be too few remaining. I know he'll be missed by many. Thanks Tom.
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Lucian Fletcher lit a candle
Thursday, January 28, 2021
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When I was a kid during the Cold War days, I relished all things military - including my Uncle Tom's stories of his days as a bombardier in B-47s in SAC. Not many people are aware of it but the B-47 was used to "slingshot" their bomb by flying at top speed and then pulling up in a loop - releasing the bomb at the apogee where it would "slingshot" to the target. The crew would all experience extremely high G-forces and would occasionally pass out due to blackouts.
Uncle Tom related to me how the bombardiers needed to know their primary, secondary, and tertiary targets intimately - to the point where they knew all the streets and buildings... Tom related how he became a member of SAC (Strategic Air Command) bc they would pay 100% tuition for grad school in any discipline you liked - including the arts. When Uncle Tom wrote his PhD. graduate thesis on The Poetry of Allen Ginsburg, SAC decided they no longer needed his services as a bombardier and discharged him - which was just fine with Tom!
Years later, when he was Chair of the Eng. Lit Dept. at UD, he recounted a story about sitting in the campus pub with a few students - including a Russian exchange student. The student was entertaining the others with stories about the town he lived in in Russia including detailed descriptions of streets, factories, cinemas, and the like. When he described his home as at the other end of the block from the cinema on the other side of the block from the factory, Tom had to bite his lip to keep from saying, "no, the factory was 3 blocks away on XXXX street and the cinema was over here!" Needless to say, the town was one of his old SAC targets and he still knew it intimately! We all had a good laugh but the reality was very sobering to say the LEAST!
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Liz Merrill uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 28, 2021
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Liz Merrill posted a condolence
Thursday, January 28, 2021
When I was a high schooler Dad and I would go to the University of Delaware indoor swimming pool for exercise almost every night in the wintertime. First we would talk each other into going, then complain the whole drive over about how it is cold and we don't feel like exercising. Then we would get there, swim our laps, then complain on the way home about how cold the water was and how the lanes were crowded. But we never quit! Those are the memories that stay with you forever. Thanks Dad! Liz
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Jenny Merrill uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
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Pat Merrill posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
I was lucky enough to have the best father ever. He imparted much wisdom upon me and did so with grace humor and love. He was the purest example of a gentleman and a scholar. I hope that some of his class has rubbed off on me. I love you dad, Rest In Peace.
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Charles uploaded photo(s)
Monday, January 25, 2021
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Your Princeton shirt in this photo reminds me of when I told you I wanted to go to Princeton like you did and become a writer. Even if those dreams didn’t quite materialize, I appreciated your encouragement toward that path.
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Jenny Merrill uploaded photo(s)
Monday, January 25, 2021
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The family of Thomas Franklin Merrill uploaded a photo
Monday, January 25, 2021
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