Dear Erik, you don't know me personally but have influenced me through your work for decades. I've known about your fight with AML for sometime, and your blog. I've not been able to read it though until very recently, as I lost my older sister to AML 20 years ago. You and your family have been in my thoughts for months. I so admire your courage and grace, and ability to share your experience of this life event that is so shrouded in our society. One more element of your important legacy. I'm hoping the doctors are wrong in their prediction of the time you have left - we found with my sister that its as much art as science, as so many of her doctor's predictions were wrong. In any case and outcome, count me as one more person thinking about you and your family and sending much love. Anne

Eric. You were my teacher in Fall 1987 at UC Berkeley, my first semester as a graduate student, and also then the single mother of a 3 year old. I recall your lucidity, the challenge to do all the readings, and the stretching of my mind as worked to write with clarity you demanded. In this moment I want to honor your long term commitment to a vision of more human world and thank you for all you taught me and so many others.

Your unwavering commitment to an alternative world teaches us how to make the fullest of this amazing conscious existence. I aspire to live my temporary existence with a similar dedication for making this amazing existence amazingly astonishing.

Dear Erik

My heart is with you. Your strength and courage are remarkable. I am so fortunate to have you as a cherished friend. I send you love and to Marsha and your family. You continue to be an inspiration as I read your words. You are more than stardust. You are a galaxy that will continue to bring light to this world. Thank you for you.

Dear Erik,

I just want to say how much our friendship has meant over these many years. To me, as to so many others, you're an incredible inspiration and example for how to lead a fantastic life as a scholar and person. Thank you for teaching me the craft of social analysis and for showing me the power of curiosity and optimism.

Much Love,

archon

Hi, Erik. I just found out about your illness. Twenty-five years have passed since I spent a semester in Madison, enjoying your hospitality at the University, and it's been a long time since I had the chance to see you on one of your last visits to Spain, but the memories of the moments that I shared with you are alive and fresh. Your books had been a fundamental reference for my intellectual formation long before I knew you personally. The direct contact allowed me to appreciate that in your case the analytical rigor was linked to an incorruptible intellectual honesty, and, above all, it made me discover a warm person, always ready to give help, and with an exuberant vitality. All this makes me appreciate the enormous privilege of having crossed paths with you. I wish you the best for as long as possible. Miguel

Dear Erik,

This is devastatingly sad. Your words continue to inspire, and it’s been quite something to follow you on this difficult journey. As is true for many others, your work and guidance has meant a great deal to me. Your book with Archon turned me on to my life’s work and your work as a whole has been very formative to my intellectual and political development. Your toughminded political optimism, logic and rigour continue to be a model to follow. I hope against hope you’ll have some more time to inspire, and especially to spend time with your family.

Lots of love and energy,
Gabe

Dear Erik,

I am sad to learn of your illness, but have to say, I really love your stardust analogy. I certainly wasn't the best student, but you taught me a great deal. Jack Kloppenburg steered me to the 621 622 sequence my first semester in Madison and it changed me. For more than a few weeks it seemed I was learning a foreign language and progress was very slow! I think it is safe to say that your stardust rippled throughout the Madison campus strengthening pockets of critical thought and action in remote intellectual places like agriculture and food systems. Another bit of your stardust that will keep churning into the foreseeable future is the analytical tool of the 2x2 table. I teach this every single semester and use it to guide my students. I always think of you, and give you credit for teaching it to me, when I deploy it toward helping a student refine their research questions. Thank you for tolerating this slow learner but also for staying committed to emancipatory projects. -- Spence

Dear Erik -- this is very sad news, even with a "stardust" outlook. I'm grateful every day for your contribution to my being able to have a career I love and value. I try to live up to the spirit of generosity you showed to me; no doubt I'm far from the only one -- so, part of a larger legacy, & a sense of a life very well lived.

David

I wish our creativity was right, and you were destined to meet Professor Cohen and, as always, continue to illuminate our path with your work. However, my materialistic condition also prevents me. I'm sorry I never met you, and I hope, with all my heart, that the next few weeks are the best possible, writing and spending time with your loved ones and friends.

With warmth and deep admiration,

Thiago