Antonio was my professor for three spanish courses, including the Princeton in Spain program in 2009, all three of which were phenomenal educational experiences, in which he taught grammar, culture, or translation in a light-hearted, fun, and casual, yet productive and informative manner. Moreover, he treated his students as individuals and genuinely looked to establish true friendships with them. He was simultaneously a respected professor, trusted friend, and tremendous father-figure in my life, as well as the lives of many of my friends. I'd like to share one particular story with exemplifies the heart of Antonio:
On my 21st birthday, I invited my closest friends to celebrate with me at a bar in the Meat Packing District of Manhattan. He e-mailed me a few weeks before to check up on me and see how my summer was going. I half-jokingly mentioned to him that I would be in NY soon to celebrate my birthday and that he should join, and he said he wold consider it. A few weeks later, while celebrating my 21st birthday, I gave my phone to my friend to make sure I didn't lose it that night. The next day, with my phone back in my possession, I found a voicemail from Antonio stating that he had come by to the bar to wish me happy birthday and was denied entry by the bouncer. I was first surprised that he came and then upset that I was not able to celebrate with him. I remembered when he would take the students out in the historical Toledo and hang out many nights with us, and recognizing his passion to get to know his us not just as his students. I vowed that I would definitely not let this happen for my 22nd birthday and promised myself that I would celebrate my 22nd with my best friends, including Antonio. It hurts to know that it will never happen...
Antonio was the type of professor who you would ask to advise you on your independent work and then, in the same conversation, ask his advice on your personal problems. I refuse to deal with his passing, because I am telling myself that I do not have the information to properly do so. I don't know when or if that time will ever come when I will be forced to come to terms with the loss, but Antonio always had an energetic, lively and youthful spirit and that memory of him will live on.
Te echaré de menos mucho.
-Brian Jeong
