By
Andrew Doughman
January 7, 2008
The UW former sociology department lost one of its graduate students in a car accident Dec. 19 in Eugene, Ore.
Oleg Kripkov, 52, is remembered for his extensive work as a teaching assistant, his regular attendance at the U-District’s University Congregational Church (UCC) and his unofficial mentoring for students seeking to learn the Russian language.
“He was overwhelming with joy and enthusiasm,” said Beth Bartholomew, a personal friend who attended a memorial service for Kripkov Jan. 2 at UCC. “He touched a lot of lives.”
Kripkov’s vehicle collided with a metal traffic signal pole at an intersection, according to local news sources in Eugene. He was the only one in the vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses claim Kripkov’s car may have been going the 55 mph speed limit when his car impacted with the signal pole.
Kripkov was living in Eugene at the time of accident. He worked on a sociology degree at the UW but returned to the University of Oregon this past fall, where he had previously taught courses.
“He started at the University of Washington to try to make a career change from history into the social sciences,” said Steven Pfaff, associate professor of sociology and director for the Center for Western European Studies. “He was not awarded an M.A. because there was some coursework he still needed to complete.”
Kripkov emigrated from Russia into the United States in the early 1990s. Although he spoke nearly no English, he enrolled at the University of Kansas, where he earned a master’s and a doctorate degree and learned English as he progressed in his education. He also played the accordion in local restaurants to support his family.
Friends say he was a quick learner.
“If you said something he didn’t know, he immediately wanted to know it and he immediately added it to his vocabulary,” Bartholomew said.
Alongside his prodigious educational attainment, Kripkov was also very passionate about issues affecting the public.
“He was very involved in social reform causes, environmental advocacy and social justice as well as in peace groups both here in Seattle and especially in Eugene,” Pfaff said.
Kripkov is survived by his wife Yelaina and his daughter Lada.
[Reach reporter Andrew Doughman at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]
2 Comments
#1 Jonvi
on January 15, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
"The UW former sociology department lost one of its graduate students in a car accident Dec. 19 in Eugene, Ore."????
So there is no longer a department of sociology at UW? It's called something else now? It's dissolved? And the student was still attending UW at the time of his death?
I'm sorry, it's the first sentence of an article in the first issue of the quarter. Please proof read before publishing it. This is why students and faculty members lament on the quality of the UW Daily.
#2 Beth Bartholomew< MSW 01
on January 16, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
That sentence does read kind of funny, doesn't it? Mr/Ms Jovi - You wouldn't be volunteering to help edit would you?
The UW Sociology Department still exists. The chair and others attended the memorial service and shared memories of Oleg Kripkov.-
Oleg, who was a bright,intense person, a gifted teacher, and activist citizen, had withdrawn from the UW. Eugene had been his home for about ten years. He had registered for Autumn Quarter at the UW and had gone home for personal reasons, a normal state of affairs.
FYI: In Eugene, over 100 people attended the Celebration of Life for Oleg, including his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law, as well as University of Oregon faculty, staff, and students he had taught. Several people spoke of his inspiration as a a college instructor (see his resume on the U of O site) and as leader and teacher in a group active in advocating for reform of education and health care, among other issues. Speakers included people from other walks of life, including a sheet metal worker and a massage therapist, and an elderly retired business executive and WWII vet who doted on talking history with Oleg and listening to classical music, a subject in which Oleg was professionally trained as well.
A Russian Orthodox service was also held for people in the Russian Community whom he had assisted.
The memorial service January 2 at University Congregational United Church of Christ was attended by 38 people, 27 of whom stayed to exchange further memories over Taize soup and bread. These people who had been touched by Oleg's intense energy and inquiring mind included faculty at the UW, a fellow graduate student, people from several small groups within the church, and fellow members of the Seattle Integral/Ken Wilber association.
He tutored anyone who wanted to learn the Russian language. He helped the sister-church program with a church in St. Petersberg.
Being in his circle of friends was challenging. He wanted to know everything and asked unanswerable questions. Also, he might show up or might not because he would get so involved in whatever he was doing (writing, studying, talking) that he would forget the time.
To me he was a sort of Fairy Godfather who flitted about like Tinkerbell, touching many with his healing spirit. Another likened him to one of the archetypal yogis.
Oleg Kripkov is profoundly missed.
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