How to find full name of someone who died Feb 18 or 19 in Chicago

March 8, 2020 6:53 PM

I would like to read the poetry of a particular person who died recently, but all I can remember is his first (very common) name. I only know that he was a published poet and [adjunct?] professor at more than one college/university, he had recently adopted a puppy, and he lived in Chicago (probably around Rogers Park or Andersonville). How can I find his full name, then his poetry?

He died sometime Feb. 20-22. My friend ended up involved in the death and told me a little about him -- he and I have something important in common -- but I don't really want to make her talk about or think about this again.

I tried looking through Legacy.com and Chicago Tribune obituaries, searching for his first name, but I could only display for the past two weeks. I know that the obituary his parents wrote is extremely minimal, not mentioning his profession, accomplishments, or surviving family, so I'm not sure how to search.

He may have published a book of poetry too.

posted by amtho to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Best answer: This is the perfect thing to contact a public librarian for. They do obit lookups (and reference questions like this) all the time, and have access to more resources than the general public, usually.
posted by PaulaSchultz at 8:14 PM on March 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

It would be tedious, but if you know one of the schools he taught at, you could search his first name at that school on ratemyprofessors and limit your search to English/Writing professors to try to figure out his last name. (Most people who teach college seem to have listings on ratemyprofessors even if they aren't mentioned on the school's website--like if they're an adjunct or it's a college with not-very-extensive website.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:04 PM on March 8, 2020

Yeah, the only poet I can find who died recently and was well known in chicago was Lisel Mueller.
posted by RedEmma at 10:03 PM on March 8, 2020

Response by poster: He wasn't necessarily well known. More of what I do know: He was sort of young (30s? 40s?) and had red hair, and I think he taught at multiple places. His first name was Andrew, I *think*.

I already checked the faculty listings for Northwestern and Columbia. They probably already removed him if he did teach there.

I'm a little uneasy asking this publicly, but I really want to read his poetry.
posted by amtho at 10:47 PM on March 8, 2020

Best answer: Andrew Ruzkowski?

A short bio from the Main Street Rag Publishing Company.
posted by virago at 7:24 AM on March 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Yes, virago. Thank you.
posted by amtho at 9:54 AM on March 9, 2020

You're welcome. I know the frustration of the elusive fact, and I'm glad I was able to fill in the blanks for you.
posted by virago at 10:25 AM on March 9, 2020