Former URI professor dies of COVID-19 in Mexico

Sadly, a former Rhode Islander, Prof. David M. Gitlitz, a nationally and internationally renowned scholar of Hispanic and Jewish culture, died of COVID-19 at his home in Oaxaca, Mexico, at the end 2020 at the age of 78. 

David, a dear friend of mine, came to the University of Rhode Island as provost in 1988 and retired two decades later.  While serving as an administrator, he pursued such passions as studying, teaching, writing, traveling and cooking, among countless others.

David also found time to be active in the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association.  Indeed, he wrote an article for the 2020 issue of the association’s journal, Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes. His lengthy essay, which includes several impressive photographs, was published shortly after his death. 

In the article, David sought to answer two questions: “What’s it like, as a former Rhode Island Jew, to find yourself now living in a tiny mountain village in Mexico’s deep south?  Is it hard to maintain your sense of Jewish identity where the local Jewish support system has to be somewhat less than zero?”

To enjoy David’s multifaceted explanations, please read the new issue of The Notes [available with a membership to the RIJHA].  Meanwhile, please consider my introduction to his article, which follows:

“David is a former vice president of our Association, and he and his wife, Linda Kay Davidson, have helped us in numerous ways.  As scholarly partners, they lectured about their numerous award-winning books, contributed articles to The Notes, and even hosted a wonderful luncheon in their 18th-century home on Kingstown Road in Kingston.  In 2008, however, they retired from their academic lives at URI in order to find a new home, at least their fourth together.

“Given their love of Spanish language and literature and Hispanic culture, including Sephardic strands, a move to Mexico seemed natural.  I believe, however, that they could have found peace and happiness wherever conversations flow, flowers blossom, and creatures fly and sing.

“Not long after David and Linda erected their new residence in Oaxaca, her fragile health weakened further.  Unfortunately, regular therapeutic trips back to Rhode Island were not effective, and our dear friend passed away three years ago.

“Fortunately, David is as busy as ever, squeezing more out of a day than most of us accomplish in a week.  In April, as much as I wanted to say hello, I was reluctant to bug him about writing another article for our journal.  But after receiving my email, he said that he’d consider my suggested topic.

“It didn’t take long.  David wrote the following essay within a day or two.  A few weeks later, I was privileged to participate in a Zoom celebration of his birthday.  His daughters, younger brother, cousins, old and newer colleagues, former students and neighbors, and friends from at least three continents were delighted to share happy, silly, and abiding memories.  I’m confident that this essay will also bring our readers closer to David and Linda.”

GEORGE M. GOODWIN lives in Providence. He’s been the editor of the RIJHA Notes for 17 years.