| We have placed the emotional
tributes to Kim Rotzoll Posted to the Adforum Listserv here to share them with Kim's loyal friends in the division. |
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About 31 years ago, Kim was "my professor" during my grad school experience at Illinois. He was young, energetic, and sharp and was one huge, huge reason I became an advertising professor. When I heard the news, I just sat at my computer and closed my eyes for a long time. Part of me is gone, but his spirit carries on through all of us who teach advertising and through our students. Thanks, Kim. Thomas Groth University of West Florida Kim Rotzoll was a long-time American Advertising Federation supporter and beloved member of the AAF family. For more than a decade, Kim served on the AAF Foundation board of directors, bringing insight and a critical academic perspective to AAF's cultural diversity and college chapter initiatives. He administered AAF's endowed Cardiss Collins Minority Advertising Scholarship at Illinois' School of Communications, and he oversaw the development of the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame exhibit at the School's library. Kim's many appearances on panel discussions at AAF national conferences brought an unbiased and learned view, expressed in his characteristic straight-talk and clever manner. Kim Rotzoll was both a true friend and valued critic of advertising. Mary Ellen Bowers Formerly of the American Advertising Federation What a loss for us all. Kim was a true scholar and a gentleman who passionately believed in what he did and who cared deeply for his students. He was one of the first professors I encountered when I came to U of I, and whenever I saw him again after leaving Illinois (increasingly infrequently in recent years), he invariably had a warm smile and a genuine interest in my wellbeing. We'll miss you, Kim. Helen Katz Chicago A Kim story. I was a vastly overwhelmed grad student taking Kim's class. In the throes of what I thought were too-darn-many final projects all due at the same time, I asked him if I might have a one-day extension on a paper. "Sure Peg-a-roo-ney," he said with his mischievous grin, "no problem." I was so relieved. Then he continued, "I'll just take off one letter grade." I'm very sad that I will never again hear, "Hey Peg-a-roo-ney, how are ya?" Peggy J. Kreshel University of Georgia I did not know Kim well but had the pleasure of meeting him and hearing him speak at academic meetings. His presentation last year about his experience while on the NARB was especially memorable. In a case about a claim in an orange juice ad, he held a minority view on whether the ad was deceptive. His view was deeply rooted in his own sense of ethics, and he stuck to his guns even though it apparently led to his never being assigned another case by the NARB. Kim was not only an extremely bright man and productive scholar, but he was also an ethical person who cared about people. He set a great example for us all. Ray Taylor Villanova University Statesman, scholar, good friend. John Sutherland University of Florida I did not know Kim well, but each time I heard him speak I felt just a little more pride to be teaching in this field. Mike Weigold University of Florida I'm not sure what's left to say about Kim. Everyone who responded has said it so eloquently. What a loss to the world of advertising, the University of Illinois, and to all of us who knew Kim. I knew Kim primarily through his stellar reputation, the many students and faculty whose lives he touched, and the American Academy of Advertising. Kim was the consummate professional. He was always "there" to help others, very unassuming. To talk to Kim, one would never guess he was at the top of his career, having led one of, if not the, top advertising program in the country. He was "just Kim." The students, colleagues and the profession of advertising have lost a great friend, but his tremendously positive impact on all of us will continue forever. Mary Ann Stutts Texas State University-San Marcos I was paging through the Book of Gossage where Kim reminisced, "And perhaps above all, I remembered social occasions in the presence of a first-class mind and a wonderfully engaging human being." Kim, too, was "A Singular Man." Sandy Moriarty University of Colorado A very sad day. Kim was a friend, mentor and colleague to us all. God bless him. I'd like to share a couple of things that I'll always remember about Kim. First, he would always write those warm and personal handwritten notes. Of all the deans I've known over the years, he was the friendliest. Second, he was always up for a discussion about Illinois football or basketball. Kim was loyal to his friends and colleagues. No request or imposition was too small. You always got the help you asked for. He was a fierce advocate for advertising education and willing to heap praise on its strengths and criticize its shortcomings. We never would have known about Howard Gossage without Kim's pure intellectual curiosity about things beyond the mainstream of advertising education. This is a tremendous loss. Bruce Vanden Bergh Michigan State University I, too, feel such a loss and at the same time a blessing for the time I knew him. I didn't know him until meeting him at the AAA conferences, but he was such a wonderful friend and mentor that I am just thankful for the time I had. I'm not a UI graduate, but many of my professors at Tennessee were. His work and ideas extended through them to their students, and now I pass that on to my students--just as we all do. Through all of us, his ideas live on. Joyce Wolburg Marquette University This is truly a sad day. I never met a kinder man than Kim. Ironically, I was looking through my files just this morning and came upon the letter he wrote in support of my tenure and promotion. This was before the email came! It was a thoughtful, articulate, and truly caring analysis of my work that also considered me not only as a candidate for tenure and promotion but also a human being. Deb Merskin University of Oregon God be with you, Dean Rotzoll, my friend. Jef Richards University of Texas I am sitting here stunned, with emotions surging and raging from profound sadness to denial to anger at the unfairness of it all and to thankfulness that I was able to count Kim as a professional colleague and wonderful personal friend. Going to a meeting of AAA or AEJMC will never be the same without those wonderful conversations about movies and life and so many other things. Kim was one of the most intelligent and profound people I ever knew, and he was also among the very nicest. Tom Bowers University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill I fondly recall sitting in his very first class when he first arrived at Illinois. And I recall all the return visits to campus when he warmly welcomed me back and took time to catch up. Finally, I recall all the American Academy of Advertising conferences we attended together, where he was always sincerely happy to see his colleagues and friends. He inspired so many in this field, and his passing represents a significant loss for all of us who will always remember his inspiration and encouragement. Richard Beltramini Wayne State University I did not know Kim well, but I felt a strong sense of loss when I learned his spirit had passed. When I was a new AAA attendee, I came from a marketing department and did not know about the AAA experience. Kim greeted me as if I were his friend and as if I belonged when he had not met me prior to the conference. He was a true gentleman and caring friend. He made me feel a part of the group when I was not sure if I really was. He was a true gentleman and scholar. I miss him already and cannot imagine a AAA conference without him. Nora Rifon Michigan State University I offer to Kim his own words that he spoke at the service for Charles Sandage: “Please travel with our profound thanks for making each of our lives infinitely richer for the privilege of knowing you.” Robert Pennington National Chung Hsing University Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C. I felt a sense of shock and loss. Kim was my friend and colleague for more than thirty years, and I will miss him greatly. I can honestly say that in all those years, he was one of the kindest men I had the privilege of knowing. Kim was a wonderful teacher, excellent scholar and mentor to countless students, an outstanding academic leader, and one of advertising education’s greatest heroes and innovators. Every time I saw him at a AAA meeting, he would always great me by asking, “How are things in Gator Country?” I’ll miss that friendly greeting, gracious smile and subtle sense of humor. I remember that Kim was one of the first to send me an email message congratulating me on becoming president of AAA. I really appreciated a past president taking time out to send me a note of encouragement with an offer to help out in any way that he could. When I saw Kim at the AAA meeting in Colorado last March, he looked fine. There was no outward sign of illness that I could see. That’s what made his passing such a shock. It came much too quickly. Kim left a wonderful legacy. All one had to do is look at the comments of those whose lives he touched in a positive way. I can’t help but picture in my mind Kim having a lively conversation in heaven with Charles Sandage, Wat Dunn, Gordon White and Bart Cummings about advertising education at UI. Advertising education has suffered a great loss, but it pales in comparison to that of Kim’s family. I speak for the leadership and members of AAA in offering our deepest sympathy to Nancy and her sons. You and Kim are in our minds, out hearts, and in our prayers. Joe Pisani University of Florida President, American Academy of Advertising In memory of Kim: He was ***a scholar, ***a teacher, ***a researcher, ***a writer, ***an administrator, and most of all, a friend. He will be missed by us all. Bill Ross Texas Tech University I sat down to write a note to Kim about 8:30 Tuesday morning. I wanted him to know that I was thinking of him and sending prayers his way. Now, instead of writing a note to him, I find myself writing a note to his family about him. I met Kim in 1994 as a master’s student at UIUC. Three things stand out in my memory. First was sharing a name with the dean. I often found myself responding to friendly calls of "Kim!" in Gregory Hall, only to realize that Dean Rotzoll was just behind me. He was the popular one, not me. Second are the many impromptu discussions in his office chatting about advertising history (his door was always open and everyone was welcome). Third, those discussions led Kim to introduce me to Sandy Sandage. I will always connect these two men. Honor. Dignity. Vision. After leaving UIUC, I saw Kim annually at academic conventions, and it was more of the same. I knew Kim must be around if I heard my name. He was still more popular than I. And when I saw him, there was always a warm hello, and he knew what I had been up to. But Kim was like that with everyone. He had a gift of making you feel important and special—it s just who he was. It is with joy that I celebrate his life, his legacy, and the influence and teaching he has left with me. It is prayers I send to his family for their loss of husband, father, and grandfather. For I know he was those things first and foremost. God bless and keep you, all. Kimberly (Paul) Selber Kim and I first met in 1975 when he came to Austin for a conference. We worked together on the Stickell program for about 15 years. When I lost my daughter in 1992, I talked with Kim, who had lost two daughters. I was lucky to have had opportunities to send time with Kim, just the two of us, for breakfast or dinner often over the years. Last February, I was invited to the University of Illinois to give a lecture on teaching. Kim picked me up for breakfast each morning, and we drove around campus in his hybrid car to see the ag barns, fine arts center and other sights. He insisted that we have tea in the afternoons at his favorite places. He was so justifiably proud of the place. He beamed so at my talk, and we agreed about many of the important things about teaching and life. He was a prince, and I am honored to call him a friend. John Murphy University of Texas Kim was a generous and gentle man, a scholar and a friend to all who knew him. He was always there for us with his wisdom, his strength and his joy in life. I was in one of the first graduate classes he taught at Illinois in fall of 1971; one of his sons (Keith, I believe it was) was in Cub Scouts with my Charles. So, for more than 30 years, I had the joy and privilege of knowing Kim as a friend and colleague. Others have written about his love for our field and for Illinois. Let me, please, tell everyone about something Kim did that impressed me as much, if not more. When I was in his classes, he told us that he was available for us all the time—except when he went home after his morning class on Wednesdays so Nancy could have a day off while he was home working and on duty for the family. Does everyone realize what an incredibly giving and strong statement that was for a husband and father in 1971? His love for Nancy and his family was evident every day of his life. Kim helped all he met to be better than they otherwise would have been. It was an honor to know him. He always answered his phone. His loss saddens us, but as we work through that, we know that his life gave us all joy. So long, dear friend. Mary Alice Shaver University of Central Florida |