Keith Aoki, RIP

From the University of California at Davis, via Jack Chin, comes the shocking and exceptionally sad news that Keith Aoki passed away this morning.  Keith was an exceptionally warm and generous scholar.  Mentioning his many academic accomplishments will not begin to do justice to him as a person.

I think many people will enjoy spending time with the book that he wrote with James Boyle and Jennifer Jenkins on fair use, Tales from the Public Domain: Bound by Law.  

And you will also likely enjoy one of his final forthcoming pieces, "Pictures Within Pictures," a sort of legal history of copyright, which was one of Keith's many interests, in the form of a comic.  It is also about the history of music and of ideas.  And it is also a warning about the extension of copyright.  The article's (comic's?) final three frames show Keith wearing a jet pack.  He says, "Well, I've got law review articles to write, classes to teach, and exams to grade ... It may be a cliche, but my friends, how this story ends is up to you!!  So ... chose wisely ... and adios amigos!!"  And with that, Keith's character blasts off into the sky.  As always, leaving us with inspiration and a task to carry on.

Keith's generosity and his innovative scholarship are a lasting and powerful inspiration to us all.  His family and the students and faculty at Davis will be in our thoughts.

Six Updates:  Jamie Boyle sends along the news that a fund is being set up to support Keith's two nine year old daughters, Sarah and Rachel; anyone interested in donating should send an e-mail to Jamie, [email protected], and he will be happy to supply more details.  

Kim Krawiec, who had the pleasure of working with Keith at Oregon a few years back, has a touching memory of time she spent with him in Eugene.

Keith's co-author Jennifer Jenkins remembers him here.

UC Davis Law Dean Kevin R. Johnson's letter to the law school community is here.

Diane Marie Amann's rememberance at Internet Law Girls is here.

Jamie Boyle's extended discussion of Keith's wide-ranging work and memorial is here.

Comments

[Kentgreenfield1]

Keith Aoki will be terribly missed.

[Eric Goldman]

My Keith Aoki story is like so many I heard today. At an AALS annual meeting when I was a relatively new professor, Keith sidled up to me and we started talking as if we were longtime friends. It was a touching way to welcome a newcomer to the community. Seeing the discussion today indicates my interaction was not unique. Eric.

[Bob Strassfeld]

I met Keith Aoki at a LatCrit conference. I had never been to a LatCrit conference before and knew just about no one. He was welcoming and warm, and a delight to talk to. I remember him as someone who got excited about ideas whether his own or others. He was very thoughtful about my own work and generous with his time. I had looked forward to crossing paths with him again. What a sad loss.

[Joe]

Wow. That book cover would actually make me thing copyright law is fun.

[Mark Levin]

Thanks Al. "Mentioning his many academic accomplishments will not begin to do justice to him as a person" is just right.

As with the others writing here, I agree that Keith brought a special light into the world with his work and his manner. I hope readers will remember or know he has young daughters surviving him. If readers can and wish, please consider giving real support along with our feelings.

(While also looking to give support to Japan, we'll give here.)

Aloha,

Mark

[Gil Asakawa]

Like everyone else, I'm shocked and saddened by this news.

I'm Keith's cousin in Denver, and our lives intersected a few times, starting with when we were both kids in the late '60s.

He turned me on to comics and I ended up attending art school because of his influence, though I became a journalist instead of an artist. I remember visiting him when he was living in NY (I attended art school in NY), back when he was in a band, and being amazed at what a cool, well-rounded creative genius he was.

We hadn't seen each other or kept in touch in years, though he ket me know how happy he was to move from Oregon to UC Davis. Back when he was in Portland, he flew to Denver for a day and my wife and I got to hang out with him. He was in Denver to announce the establishment of the Min Yasui Chair at the U of Oregon law school.

Yasui was an Oregon grad who went on to challenge the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, and was a civil rights activist and a leader in the City of Denver for decades. It was good to see Keith after many years and I regret we didn't stay closer in touch after that trip -- just a few emails here and there. He sent me a draft of one of his law school comics (what a brilliant way to teach!).

I know though that he loved being at UC Davis. Thank you for writing this remembrance.

[Timothy B. McCormack]

I was a student of Keith Aoki between 1995 and 1997. My life arc changed in that time. Among other things, I learned from Keith that building is better than destroying, even though it is harder. This has never left me. Keith was a builder of people. He did it well. I know that his legacy will always live on and be passed to many others.

Here is one story I recall. I had given Keith a knight’s gauntlet as a gift for the help and guidance he had given me. The gauntlet was gifted to me by a friend under similar circumstances. Well, Keith’s eyes widened when he saw the steel glove. He put it on slowly. He clenched his hand. He raised his arm in the air.

A moment passed. I saw gears turning in his head, but I did not know what would happen next. . .

As though he were a comic book hero, he ran out of his office, proclaiming, “I am the iron fist!”

This was a uniquely “Keith Aoki” reaction. The memory is precious to me. This eventually inspired me to create a super hero called, “Copyright Cow.” Keith, you never met Copyright Cow, but there is a big part of you in him.

Your spirit will live forever. Keith, you will not be forgotten!