by Tim Denevi

On Monday May 7th, 2007, the UH Mānoa English Department gathered to say farewell to professor Robert Shapard, who was retiring after more than two decades of teaching.

Professor Shapard has enjoyed an astounding career as a successful editor, writer, and mentor. He founded and ran the nationally acclaimed magazine Mānoa; he has continued to publish fiction in noted journals across the country; and he has been personally responsible for popularizing the genres “sudden” and “flash” fiction in the anthologies Sudden Fiction, Sudden Fiction International, Flash Fiction Forward, and New Sudden Fiction.

As a teacher, Professor Shapard has helped further the writing aspirations of countless students. During his farewell reception his generosity and general brilliance were widely celebrated. Current PhD M. Thomas Gammarino read a piece of sudden fiction that imagined a student and professor trying to better care for a disembodied brain. Graduates Samrat Upadhyay and Anne Panning graciously credited Robert as a major influence in their careers. Editor Frank Stewart reread a thank-you letter written to Robert from John Updike. And Tamara Pavich, the organizer of the festivities, kicked off the celebration with a beautiful work of flash fiction: a request that the local Starbucks reserve a seat in its corner in honor of Professor Shapard, who could often be found there helping students, working on his latest projects, and talking about the art of writing to whoever stopped by.

At the conclusion of the evening, Professor Shapard was presented with a scrapbook of farewells.

Robbie Shapard has since relocated to Austin, Texas, where he writes, teaches the occasional workshop, and cheers on his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Robbie Shapard with, from left, Gavin McCall, Tom Gammarino, Tammy Pavich and Tim Denevi.