Professor McDonald was an inspiring man. I begrudgingly attended one of his online courses, out of scheduling necessity, only to find it revelatory—not only for its content, but on how to lead a better life as an educator and man. His instruction and discussions fostered my continued love of literature, both contemporary and classic. He held his students to high expectations, but was always kind and gracious. I’ve spoken fondly of him and our class discussions on any occasion that I approached texts covered in his online courses to friends and families, and only found out about his passing now as I sought to write him a letter to thank him for his influence on my passions and life. I’m grateful to have known him in some capacity, even for such a small amount of time. He most certainly inspired many others like myself, silently creating ripples of positive influence for countless students and generations to come.

Professor McDonald was an extraordinary human being in every way possible. I was a student of his who will miss him with all my heart. I also suffered from cancer and it was because of Professor McDonald that I first went to be tested. This man probably saved my life, I only wish he had conquered this disease, too. Everyone should think of love, compassion, empathy and knowledge when remembering Brian McDonald. He truly lived his life full of integrity and beauty. He will continue to be an example for all.

My condolences to the family. The loss of a loved one is never easy. May our loving God continue to bless and strengthen you as you remember that his Word the Bible at John 5:28, 29 assures us that there is going to be a resurrection. The best Friend a bereaved person can have is our Creator, Jehovah God. We are encouraged at 1 Peter 5:7 to pour out our heart to him in prayer because "he cares for you." Moreover, he promises that all who do so will have their thoughts and feelings soothed by "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:6, 7) Please allow God to help you heal by means of his Word, the Bible. In harmony with the Bible, please feel free to go the website www.jw.org where you will find a wealth of spiritual information about God's purpose for mankind, the future of those asleep in death and those living now. And even more important, how Jesus sacrificial death relates to the resurrection. May all the many wonderful memories that Brian your loved one provided comfort you during this most difficult time.

Dear McDonald family,

We, the Bressler family, send the fullness of our love to you and we are asking God to surround you and strengthen you with the fullness of His love! We were all honored to be invited by your family on so many occasions. Brian had a heart to welcome the stranger, and he offered to us his home and heart, even when he wasn't feeling well at all! What love! We will never forget!

This last Christmas we had such a wonderful time together! Thank you McDonald family for your great love! We love you!

,The Bressler family.

A long time ago, maybe around 2002, Brian was assigned to observe and evaluate a lit class i was teaching. I didn't know him at all up to that point. But now I will never forget him. I vaguely recall going to see him in his office in Cavanaugh Hall once before the observation and then again after, and I remember it being surprisingly fun both times. My memory of him is a memory of a man overflowing with bright, kind energy. I hate having my classes observed, but when he did it he made me feel comfortable, and when he was in my classroom he seemed to make everyone feel good, maybe just with his presence, I don't know for sure. I do remember that at one point, while my students and I were haggling over some literary issue, he enthusiastically blurted out something like: "I love this! This is like a happening!" Those were the words he used: "a happening." And then he proceeded to explain for us what a happening is, or once was. I will never forget it because, well, who the heck ever says something like that? What a supercool super great guy. After that, I hardly got to know Brian much at all, but it bothers me that he never knew how powerfully he touched me, and I think also our students on that day.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 ~ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

To the McDonald family: May the Lord bring you comfort and peace. May the promise of eternal life bring you hope. Mr. McDonald served the Lord well, with his whole heart and soul. He finished his race well. May his soul rest in heavenly peace and his memory be eternal.

To Brian’s family, please accept my condolences. Brian was probably my first real connection to teaching at IUPUI, when I filled in for him one semester, teaching a class in literature from the Ancient-Medieval eras. This was one of innumerable areas of expertise for him, but I had no experience teaching this material. Brian shared his time and experience with me so generously, and guided me through every facet of the course. I felt like I was getting the best teaching coach in the world. He kept in touch with me throughout the semester, commiserated with me after I botched a session on St. Augustine, and rejoiced with me after I brought the class together over Socrates’ Apology. That was over a dozen years ago, but he remained a go-to person for me when I needed pedagogical help. It was an honor to work with him and I’m so sorry for the loss of a great teacher of literature.

It was a great pleasure to work with Brian. His dedication, willingness to extend himself for the sake of other colleagues, and his unfailing good nature were marks of the example he set for us all. He will be greatly missed. He was such an asset to our department and to students. His commitment to giving his all in the service of others was quite unmatched. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all as you come to terms with his homegoing. May God's grace, strength, and comfort be with you all.

Ronda Henry Anthony, English Department colleague

I had the privilege of working with Brian at IUPUI for several years, and remember fondly our conversations about teaching, about faith, about the world. He was a wonderful person who gave so much to his students and colleagues. My condolences to his family.

I first met Brian when I was an undergraduate student, taking IUPUI's L213 Literary Masterpieces. I loved that class. From Cervantes to Dostoevsky and Kafka, this class really whet my appetite for literature and helped me decide to become an English major. I vividly remember the atmosphere of camaraderie and intellectual curiosity Brian created in the classroom. I remember going to Borders to buy Girard's Deceit, Desire, and the Novel after the class!

Ten years later, after becoming an English educator myself, I returned to IUPUI for my graduate degree. As part of my practicum I joined with Brian again, this time as a mentee in his L202: Literary Interpretation class. Here I got to know him as a very generous and kind person, whose openness and dedication to his students became an inspiration for my own instruction. After class he would often invite me to lunch to talk about students, my own work and life in general. I will always appreciate that time. My condolences to your family; he will be remembered as a positive influence in our lives. I was blessed to know him.

Brian was a remarkable man, and I always regarded my friendship with him as a gift. Partially this gift was intellectual. I was could not be with him without learning something. He had not only a miraculous memory for facts and texts and ideas, but he was a great creator of new ideas and new ways to find meaning in the chaos. But the most important gift that a Brian brought to his friendships was a bedrock decency, humility, and compassion that seemed to undergird his whole life, even as he would passionately explain to me how wrong I was about all manner of things. For me his memory will always be a blessing.

I first got to know Brian when he and I shared an office in the fifth floor in Cavanaugh. I found him to be a sensitive and thoughtful person who was very much committed to the intellectual enterprise of the university and to the intellectual growth of his students. He and I shared a relationship with Helen Schwartz, although his was much more developed. In fact, through this relationship with Helen, Brian was able to do an excellent job developing online offerings in literature. When I learned how much he was committing to supporting these courses, it did not surprise me, as to me it showed how much he cared about his work and the intellectual development of his students. He will be missed. I wish the best to his family in this time of grieving.

Scott

I am one of the lucky ones who had the chance to see and chat with Brian in the halls of Cavanaugh Hall as we went about our daily business. His kindness, warmth, and generosity will be greatly missed. His love for his family often came through in our conversations. My heart goes out to them now as I share their grief.

I've been slogging through life ever since I got the news. Don't know why, but today was especially hard.

When I last saw Brian, he was in IU Hospital across the street from Cavanaugh Hall, and the news was not good. Yet he welcomed me into his packed hospital room, took my hand in his, and said, "The obvious negative aspects of this situation aside, let me tell you about a few of the positives ..."

I was floored, as I often was when interacting with this amazing man.

In his final months, we talked about Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Dostoyevski, DH Lawrence. All of these authors are eloquent and unrelenting on the subject of death.

I said to him, "I won't be as brave as you are when my time comes."

He said, "Don't underestimate yourself."

I was supposed to be comforting and encouraging him, but the opposite always seemed to happen.

Finally he said to me, "I appreciate your thoughts, but I'd prefer your prayers."

I said, "I'm rusty."

He said, "Even better."

That was Brian, through and through.

How we will miss him.

Such a wonderful tribute to our dear friend Brian.

My husband Frank and I were the fortunate ones to pass the days of Catechism when we began our journey deeper into Orthodoxy with Brian and Sue. Frank and I along with our sons Daniel and Gabriel count ourselves most fortunate to have spent so many years of our lives with this remarkable man and to be able to watch his beautiful family continue grow in stature, love and wisdom. Our prayers are especially for his gracious and beautiful wife Sue.

May Brian's memory be Eternal. Such was Brian's faithful relationship with His Savior that even now that he has died, we feel him very much alive with eyes a twinkle in all of our hearts as is lovingly intended by Christ our Savior.

My heartfelt condolences go to you, Susan, and your children and extended family. Although Brian had been struggling with illness for a long time, it was still a shock to hear of the passing of this great man, who played such an important part in my life at IUPUI.

I met Brian first as an outstanding student, one of the wonders who stand out as truly intellectual and deep. After that, we collaborated on teaching an on-line Shakespeare class and in sharing my philosophy and practice, Brian was kind to describe himself as a disciple, but he went far beyond that--creating new courses and revising existing ones so that students got a true interactive experience of learning. He introduced innovations that made it possible to teach such classes without EXTRA heroic effort.

In reading his assignments, I realized that he was an excellent teacher--able to engage students in reacting to literature in ways that made it important in their lives. With his intellect and humanity he bettered the foundation we had worked on together.

He was truly and genuinely a spiritual person and that too imbued his teaching with depth and concern for his students. I will never forget him and will value his memory as a blessing in my life.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but thank God for his testimony and love for Christ. May God surround you with love at this very difficult time.

This beautiful tribute captures as well as words can the person I knew as a colleague at IUPUI. As a former Protestant minister myself, I hit it off with Brian when I came to IUPUI. We often had long conversations in the hall about literature, theology, and politics. I was amazed at the way Brian, mentored by Dr. Helen Schwartz, became our primary teacher of online literature courses, bringing to those courses so much thoughtful attention that surely they are a model of the best online humanities teaching around. Brian and I had fewer opportunities to talk in recent years, and now I regret that. I hope his family and close friends find comfort in their grief. This terrible loss is the sign of a magnificent life. Godspeed, Brian.

I had the privilege of working with Brian at IUPUI. There was no one I respected more. He was a great colleague, a fabulous teacher and a wonderful human being. My thoughts are with his family.

Dear Sue and Family,

We are so sorry for your loss. Brian was an incredible person and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. We send our love and prayers to you and the family.

Sue and Gary Nelson

Brian was the first of the faculty at IUPUI to welcome me when I joined the English Dept in 2007. I will always be grateful for his many kindnesses, his wry humour, and our many fruitful Shakespeare discussions over the years. His deep commitment to teaching and to the "life of the mind" served as an example to me and provided me with inspiration and even comfort. I will always be grateful for having been fortunate enough to know him and to work with him and I'll do my best to pay that forward. My deepest sympathies to Sue and to the entire family. We are the less for his loss, but we are the more for the gifts he gave us.

Perhaps Shakespeare knew a man like Brian when he wrote:

"O Death, made proud with pure and princely beauty!"

I feel so very fortunate to have had a friend like Brian. I can think of so many good memories and conversations that made me think deeply about many things. His input into my life I will always treasure. Memory eternal. I give thanks to God that he was, is, and always shall be a part of my life.