We were saddened to hear that Paul Alpers, professor emeritus and founding director of the Townsend Center for the Humanities, passed away on May 19. Alpers was former chair of the English Department, a 1972 winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Class of 1942 Professor of English Emeritus. He retired from the faculty in 2002, after 38 years of service. As the first director of the Townsend Center from 1987-1991, Alpers was involved in the establishment of the Townsend Center's foundational programs, including the Townsend Fellowships and the endowed lecture series. His contributions to the Townsend Center and the UC Berkeley campus will not be forgotten.