Gerald Cornelius Monsman

Gerald Cornelius Monsman, 85, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on May 27, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on March 3, 1940, in Baltimore Maryland and was raised in the Baltimore suburb of Towson. A devoted husband, father, and Opa, Gerald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Weaver Monsman, his three daughters Claire Petty (Jeff), Cecily Snyder (Quinn), and Christina Scott (Colin), and his nine grandchildren Diego, Elisabeth, Orlando, Amelia, Ethan, Perry, Knox, Hugo, and Isobel. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald Monsman and Diana DeKryger Monsman.

In his childhood and youth, Gerald spent many happy and hardworking summers at his family’s farm in Michigan, driving tractors and playing with his many cousins. Back in Baltimore, he became close with his mother’s mentor, philosopher and professor Arthur Lovejoy. Gerald read weekly to the blind Dr. Lovejoy, who ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in academia. Gerald was a brilliant literary scholar, receiving his undergraduate, masters, and PhD in English at Johns Hopkins University. He began his professorial career at Duke University in 1965 and was soon awarded tenure. Gerald was named Professor and Head of the English Department at the University of Arizona in 1986. Gerald was a prolific and passionate academic and could be found most frequently in his study working on books, articles, lectures, and simply reading. Over the course of his career, he authored 14 books and countless articles on Nineteenth Century British Literature and established himself as the foremost authority on South African colonial literature. Gerald taught and mentored thousands of students who loved him and enthusiastically sought his guidance through the time of his retirement in 2021.

Over and above his distinguished career, however, Gerald was utterly devoted to his family. He and Nancy met at a supper club party in 1970, and they married in 1972. Together they enjoyed decades of concerts, dinners, parties, art events, plays, and travel to Europe, Africa, and across North America. Summers off from the University guaranteed road trips throughout the United States and Canada, ultimately hitting 47 of 50 States by car. He was a playful parent and met his children at their level, ensuring they felt loved and safe. He encouraged Nancy and each of his daughters to blossom in their personal and professional lives. Gerald was an animal lover, often greeting pets with silly nicknames. He was especially close to his dogs Bogart and Waldo. Gerald’s love was a gift to his family.

A memorial service was held at St. Phillips Episcopal Church on Saturday May 31st at 11:00 a.m.

A visitation at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Barkley Cemetery in New London, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.