He was 74.

http://news.rice.edu/2015/10/04/malcolm-...of-cancer/

Wow. That makes me sad. We climbed his fence and swam in his pool a number of times. Never yelled. Never called the campos. Twice he and his wife even brought out snacks and chatted with our clearly-drunk asses. Such a sweet yet intense guy. Cheers, Malcolm. I cannonball in your honor.

The stories about him were always off the charts. Mine: When Rice won the National Baseball Championship my friends and I agreed that the way Rice celebrates big wins is to jump in Gillis' pool....so we did. He wasn't home, but a very friendly nephew was, who briefly joined in the celebration and raided his uncle's liquor cabinet to give us a bottle to celebrate with. After 15 minutes, we were gone, but I'll never forget the gesture and made the win even sweeter.

Dr. Gillis joined the senior baseball players and their families on the field in 2003 for Senior Day. He was wearing a golf shirt in the pattern of the Texas flag with an owl in the star. I commented to him that I really like the shirt. The next day the shirt, laundered and folded, was in my locker with a handwritten note. He offered it as a gift asking in return that I wear it on the plane to Omaha (for which we'd yet to qualify). I did so. We won the CWS. I still have the shirt, although it's a bit big now, not being as heavy as I was then.

Rest in peace, Dr. Gillis.

I am not sure but Dr. Gillis might have had the biggest smile of anyone during the 2003 CWS. At the post-game party in the Omaha Press Club and here when the team was welcomed back at the Hilton Garden Inn after the first Stanford win.



The President's seats are just in front of ours at Reckling and he would always ask for pitch counts after each inning.

I always liked Dr. Gillis. He will be missed.

My Rice sports/Gillis memory is him walking around the huge LSU RV encampment in stadium lot for the 2002 Supers, chatting up Tigers fans who had know idea who he was.

(10-05-2015 08:47 AM)Steven Herce Wrote:  Dr. Gillis joined the senior baseball players and their families on the field in 2003 for Senior Day. He was wearing a golf shirt in the pattern of the Texas flag with an owl in the star. I commented to him that I really like the shirt. The next day the shirt, laundered and folded, was in my locker with a handwritten note. He offered it as a gift asking in return that I wear it on the plane to Omaha (for which we'd yet to qualify). I did so. We won the CWS. I still have the shirt, although it's a bit big now, not being as heavy as I was then.

Rest in peace, Dr. Gillis.

Steven:
That is a wonderful story. If you don't mind, please share it with Melissa Kean, the Rice historian -- it's the kind of thing she loves.

I loved the Gillis Camacho Study Break at the RMC at the end of the first semester. That got me through many a cram session. My favorite story is that in the MOB we decided to make a 1984 type tshirt with Dr. Gillis as the center of it. When he was approached I don't think he quite understood, but did it non the less. I still have my shirt somewhere.

(10-04-2015 07:04 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  He was 74.

http://news.rice.edu/2015/10/04/malcolm-...of-cancer/

Reminder: the memorial service for President Gillis will be Wed Oct 28 at 2 pm in Alice Pratt Brown Hall:
http://news.rice.edu/2015/10/14/memorial...ed-oct-28/

So sad.

If I were anywhere near Houston, I'd be there for the memorial service.


I'll always have his autograph, though. He signed my yearbook at a Halloween study break one year. I remember he was dressed as The Hulk.

The memorial service yesterday was impressive and moving, and included outstanding music. I think I speak for many who were there when I say that the Rice Chorale's performance of the Scottish air "Loch Lomond" was one of the most beautiful musical performances I have ever heard.

It looked like the service was being video recorded, so I suspect that the video will be available on the Rice website sometime next month.

The video of last week's memorial service has been posted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVU_t-1y4yQ

The Rice Chorale's stunning rendition of "Loch Lomond" begins at the 1:21 mark.

(11-03-2015 07:28 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  The video of last week's memorial service has been posted:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVU_t-1y4yQ

The Rice Chorale's stunning rendition of "Loch Lomond" begins at the 1:21 mark.

"The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond" (published 1841)

By yon bonnie banks and yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Chorus:
O ye'll take the high road, and I'll take the low,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

'Twas there that we parted, by yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where, deep in purple hue, the highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.

Chorus

The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine waters lie sleeping.
But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again,
Though the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

Chorus