In Memoriam: Terrie Ralph Groth (1952–2020)

• Published date: 01 November 2020
• DOI: 10.1177/0094582X20962083
• Date: 01 November 2020

176

https://doi.org/10.1177/0094582X20962083

LATIN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES, Issue 235, Vol. 47 No. 6, November 2020, 176

DOI: 10.1177/0094582X20962083

© 2020 Latin American Perspectives

In Memoriam

Terrie Ralph Groth (1952–2020)

We first knew Terrie Groth while he was a graduate student in political sci-

ence at the University of California, Riverside, where he wrote his dissertation

as a critique of progressive mainstream currents around bureaucratic authori-

tarianism and corporatism. For a short time, he managed the LAP office at the

university, participated in collective meetings around Southern California,

evaluated manuscripts, and eventually became an associate editor of the jour-

nal after joining the Department of Political Science at the Universidade de

Brasîlia, where he served as professor throughout his academic career. He par-

ticipated in many panels sponsored by LAP at congresses of the Latin American

Studies Association.

Jawdat El-Haj remembers him in the early 1980s, when he returned from

Recife, where he was teaching, and introduced us to Brazilian culture, “talking,

listening to samba, having a caipirinha and feijoada,” and how that led to his

writing a dissertation in Fortaleza, Brazil: “We met several times in Fortaleza,

Recife, and Rio. Easygoing and cheerful, he would tell brilliant jokes about

politics. The last time we talked he was in Brasília having dinner with former

students . . . the same Terrie, jolly and willing to go the extra mile to help stu-

dents and friends. We miss you immensely, dear friend.”

Russell White recalls Terrie as “warm, caring, charismatic, and giving,

[someone] who instantly lit up any room he entered. His energy level was

dynamic and palpable! His sense of humor was contagious, and he knew how

to use humor in a positive and critical way. He was always ready to help any-

one and share his insights and experiences. Most important, he wanted to

inspire change and make a difference. LAP was an important part of his life. In

short, Terrie was a wonderful human being, and he will be missed.”

Our condolences and thoughts go out to his wife, Loussia Musse Felix, a law

professor at the Universidade de Brasília, and their daughter, Annie. Loussia

writes: “Terrie had been such a driving force, a love, a friend, a wonderful aca-

demic partner for almost four decades of my life. I cannot even imagine how

my journey would have been without his presence, his endless support and

intelligence. He worked in three Brazilian universities, committed to develop-

ing the best in each of his students. He touched their lives and careers. A gifted

professor, he always placed his students at the forefront of his work. He was

fully engaged in institutional building and innovative projects. His legacy will

be honored and continued in my work and that of many others.”

962083LAPXXX10.1177/0094582X20962083Latin American Perspectives

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