!(left)http://amerikanisztika.ieas-szeged.hu/images/19t.jpg! Aged 75, Kent Bales of Minneapolis, passed away October 8th, 2012. Kent was born in Anthony, Kansas in 1936 to Irene Brinkman and Roslyn Francis Bales. He moved to Salt Lake City in 1948 where his mother died one year later. He earned an academic and athletic Scholarship to YALE University where he played football and graduated with a degree in American Studies in 1958. That summer he met and married Maria Gyorei of Hungary, his wife of 54 years. After receiving his PHD from the University California – Berkeley, Kent joined the Department of English at the University of Minnesota in 1967 where he taught American Literature for 41 years. He also served as the Chair of the English Department twice, as Director of Graduate Studies, as Director of Undergraduate Studies, as Chair, Senate Joint Committee on Faculty Affairs and Chair, Senate Joint Committee on Faculty Appointments. Kent was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award twice and went on to serve on the National Fulbright Committee. He was a wonderful professor, effective administrator, and devoted husband and father. Survived by his wife, Maria; daughter Liza (David) Lee and son Tom (Tiziana) Bales, five grandchildren and many other loving family members and good friends. A private celebration of his life will be held in the coming weeks. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Sierra Club.