Dr. Gene Koppel died April 10, 2011 at the age of 79. Husband of Betty Jane Koppel; father of Ralph (Suellen) Koppel and Pam (Skip Jirrels) Koppel; his grandfather of Julie Koppel, James Koppel and Alyssa Jirrels; brother of Carole Koppel, and his devoted dog, Archie. He was a long time professor of English Literature and Humanities at the University of Arizona and was a renowned expert on Jane Austen. He authored the book “The Religious Dimension of Jane Austen’s Novels” and published a series of interviews with notable Jewish figures including Isaac Bashevis Singer and Elie Wiesel. Gene was deeply loved and appreciated by his family and his friends for his gentle heart and his wry sense of humor. Born in St. Louis, he attended Clayton High School and received his B.A. from the University of Missouri, his M.A. from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from Washington University. A “Celebration of his Life” will be held at Mount Sinai Cemetery on May 22 at 12:00 p.m. with shiva for the remainder of the day at the home of Sue and Ralph Koppel, 2117 Hillsgate Court, St. Louis, Mo. 63146.