Silvester Brito Obituary

November 23, 2018

Ray Mizumura wrote a sympathy message

“To Carol Brito and the members of the Brito family--please accept my condolences for your loss. I miss Silvester Brito dearly. In the late 80s and early 90s I was a student of Silvester Brito's. He was my teacher in classes on folklore, American Indian Literature, and on another topic covering various approaches to ethnic literature, whose title I wish I could recall. What I do remember is vivid and I know I won't forget it. Attending his end of semester parties where all sorts of food, but especially chili, was available in abundance. I'm not much of a drinker but I did sip a bit of high proof Rum with Silvester and was just fine the next morning. He had a fortifying effect on people, so much strength. His lectures were brilliant but unconventional and sometimes unpredictable. I remember him mentioning during one that he sometimes listened to Van Halen when grading papers. He also liked Jimi Hendrix and vocally imitated his guitar style in class one day. His poetry is terrific, so original and raw and beautiful. I have a couple of his books and they're prized keepsakes. The last time I interacted with Silvester was, I think, in 1994, or it may have been 1997. I was between graduate schools and would get back to Laramie occasionally and was always enthusiastic about the possibility of catching up with him. I sure wish I could have met with him at least once more and I often think of him and am influenced by him in my academic career. He was a mentor, a teacher, a scholar, a poet, and artist, and damned good at all of that, and I'm sure, at more. Knowing him was a pleasure, a privilege, unforgettable indeed. I wish him a loving journey as he returns to his ancestors.--Ray Mizumura-Pence, American Studies Department, University of Kansas. I attended UW from Spring 1987 to Spring 1992.”