He was unusually engaging in conversation, amiable and charming in ways that seemed to acknowledge the ideals of the historical period that he studied. One of the greatest luminaries of the eighteenth century, David Hume, once wrote that life's two greatest pleasures are study and society. This is a view that Rea must have shared, for he not only excelled in both but also combined the two pursuits in ways that made him a splendid friend, colleague, and mentor. He brought to the Department of English knowledge and experience that served to broaden departmental horizons and encourage the faculty to set the highest standards of scholarship, teaching, and service. For this legacy, the Department of English will always be grateful, counting Rea Keast as one of its most distinguished members.
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