Alas, this type of news is never easy to break. Nor is it one of the tasks of this blog to which I look forward. But I believe it's a part of the responsibility I've taken on in the Sherlockian community.
Ely M. Liebow, BSI ("Inspector Gregory") passed away this weekend. For those who knew him, Ely was a deeply thoughtful and intellectual man with a superb sense of humor and a deep knowledge of Sherlock Holmes. I didn't know him well, but I did manage to raise a few glasses with him in a suite at the Iroquois Hotel some 10 or 12 years ago after my first BSI Dinner (and before the Iroquois went upscale). He was quiet in that room of rabblerousers (you know who you are!), but when he spoke, he was heard. And then there was usually heard a thunder of laughter.
In addition to the Baker Street Irregulars, Ely was a member of Hugo's Companions, the Hounds of the Baskerville and 140 Varieties of Tobacco Ash. He appeared at a number of conferences over the years and was known for his signature Sherlockian book:Dr. Joe Bell: Model for Sherlock Holmes, which has just been re-released. And the estimable Brad Keefauver has him listed at #70 on the Hundred Hottest Sherlockian Writers of the Last Century.
Ely's obituary ran in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times:
Ely M. Liebow, husband of Phoebe, nee Recht; father, of Wendy (Scott Burson), Cynthia and Franette Liebow; grandfather, of Allison and Esther Burson. Funeral Ceremony Monday, 10 a.m., at Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Rd., Highland Park, IL 60035. Interment Shalom, Arlington Heights. In lieu of flowers memorials in his memory to Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL, The Cancer Wellness Center, 215 Revere Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062, PanCAN, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or Congregation Solel would be appreciated. For more information please contact Congregation Solel, 847-433-3555.There is an online guestbook which you may sign for Ely's family. It will remain open until March 31, 2008.
And please, if you have any memories of Ely you'd like to share, please do so via the comments link below.
Update (4/15/07): the Chicago Tribune did a very nice feature article/remembrance of Ely on April 12th.
Update (4/16/07): Wisconsin Public Radio's University of the Air has an interview with Ely that aired on April 8, 2007. They dedicated the show to Ely's memory. It can be heard as a RealAudio file.
Photo credit: Ray Betzner, sent courtesy of David Morrill
