Too soon and much to his chagrin, Dr. John Noble McDaniel departed this life on May 3, 2010, leaving behind his wife and best friend Jean, sons Scott (Donnetta) and Craig, granddaughters, Alex, Mandy, and Heidi, twin brother Tom, and sisters Sue and Sal, all of whom he loved beyond measure but didnt say so often enough, by his own admission. Dr. McDaniel was an honors graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, where his academic and athletic accomplishments grew ever greater in his later years (as he recalled); he also earned masters and doctoral degrees from respectively, Johns Hopkins and Florida State. He came to Middle Tennessee State University in 1970 as an assistant professor of English, went on to become chair of the English Department, and then served for a quarter-century as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, a position that he navigated with some grace and survived with considerable luck. Having lived the examined life with animated good humor, Dr. McDaniel leaves behind few regrets and many memorable moments for loved ones to contemplate at their leisure. Teaching Shakespeares tragedies for four decades left him with the distinct impression that almost everyone dies in the end, though he had hoped that perhaps in his case an exception would be made. Failing that, he expressed on leaving for that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns that it had been a good ride, mainly. And, mainly, a noble one. A memorial service will be held Friday at 2:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with The Rev. John R. Todd officiating. Visitation will be 12:00 until 2:00 PM Friday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MTSU English Departments John N. McDaniel Teaching Award Fund, which supports the good work of graduate teaching assistants. Though a published scholar in several research areas, teaching well is the professorial legacy that he cherished most. Woodfin Memorial Chapel, 615-893-5151. www.woodfinchapel.com.