on behalf of Joel Drescher, MBA '05, Speech GSI '05:
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Sonnenschein. Bill befriended me early in my Haas career and was my Speech instructor and later my Speech GSI instructor. He was incredibly kind, very smart and very, very present. I liked Bill a lot because I felt like he “got” the world. He understood and appreciated human potential. He believed in a better world, and he inspired his students and friends to do the same. Bill will always be an important part of my educational journey; he inspired optimism, humor and goodwill. He will be missed.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thank you Bill!
Bill and i connected at Haas and then our mentor-friend relationship grew even more afterwords. His support, encouragement, and friendship was reinforced by actual opportunities. Even from Madagascar he was trying to support me and find me opportunities.
Few teachers continue their work after the class is over, few friends pro-actively look into your needs. Bill was one of those few, and i hope to emulate him.
Rajesh
Few teachers continue their work after the class is over, few friends pro-actively look into your needs. Bill was one of those few, and i hope to emulate him.
Rajesh
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
March 15 - Celebrating Bill
Please join us on March 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at International House’s Chevron Auditorium to celebrate the life of our friend and colleague, Bill Sonnenschein. His contributions to the Haas community were immeasurable, profound, and we will miss him deeply.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bill's recent GSIs gather to reminisce
We spent the night talking, eating, reminiscing, crying, drinking and laughing. We knew Bill was with us. It was hard to believe that we had sat with Bill in that very room on Ashby not so long ago planning the Fall 2008 Leadership communication class for the incoming 2010 MBAs.
Bill inspired us and loved us, but most importantly he taught us how to live life to its fullest. We’ll try to live life a little harder, take time to pause in both speaking and reflecting occasions, and as Bill would always quote, be the change in the world we want to see.
We look forward to celebrating the life of Bill Sonnenschein.
Omar, Mira, Will, Carrie, Jenny, Adrian, Jenn, Rachel, Morgan, Samir, Pedro, and Adrian
GSIs for Leadership Communication, Haas School of Business, Fall 2008
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Bill's Passion and Commitment
There is a lovely article on Bill in the Daily Cal:
www.dailycal.org/article/103963/haas_lecturer_remembered_for_his_passion_and_commi
www.dailycal.org/article/103963/haas_lecturer_remembered_for_his_passion_and_commi
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Authenticity and Passion
It has been very difficult for me to think about Bill without getting emotional, which explains why it took me so long to write this. Reading all the wonderful tributes here made me miss Bill even more.
From the first moment that Bill stood on the stage during Communications Camp last August (2008), I have been his fan. Since then, I learned SO MUCH about being authentic and passionate in my communications. My only regret is not working with Bill more during the semester.
I still remember the last time I spoke with Bill, walking back to Haas from the Faculty Lunches. We spoke about my thoughts on his class and ways that he could improve it. He also told me that not only should our communications be filled with passion, we should also pursue things that we believe in, and not let excuses get in the way. In the end, he added that he was very sad not to be around Haas to hold special seminars and teach us throughout the Fall and Spring Semesters like he always had. After encouraging me to apply to be his GSI next fall, we parted ways.
Little did I expect that was the last time I would talk to Bill one-on-one. Little did I know that the inspiring advice he gave me was his last. And little did I know I would never be able to learn more from him by being his GSI.
Bill's passing is a great loss to his friends, family, and the Haas community. But even though he is no longer with us, his teachings and his life stories will live on in all of us and continue to motivate, inspire, and support all who have been lucky enough to have known him.
Bill, even though you're gone, I am heartened to know that you stayed true to who you are and what you believed in all the way to the end. That is what authenticity is all about.
I will truly miss you...
From the first moment that Bill stood on the stage during Communications Camp last August (2008), I have been his fan. Since then, I learned SO MUCH about being authentic and passionate in my communications. My only regret is not working with Bill more during the semester.
I still remember the last time I spoke with Bill, walking back to Haas from the Faculty Lunches. We spoke about my thoughts on his class and ways that he could improve it. He also told me that not only should our communications be filled with passion, we should also pursue things that we believe in, and not let excuses get in the way. In the end, he added that he was very sad not to be around Haas to hold special seminars and teach us throughout the Fall and Spring Semesters like he always had. After encouraging me to apply to be his GSI next fall, we parted ways.
Little did I expect that was the last time I would talk to Bill one-on-one. Little did I know that the inspiring advice he gave me was his last. And little did I know I would never be able to learn more from him by being his GSI.
Bill's passing is a great loss to his friends, family, and the Haas community. But even though he is no longer with us, his teachings and his life stories will live on in all of us and continue to motivate, inspire, and support all who have been lucky enough to have known him.
Bill, even though you're gone, I am heartened to know that you stayed true to who you are and what you believed in all the way to the end. That is what authenticity is all about.
I will truly miss you...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Feeding my body and my mind
Dear Bill, my teacher and mentor,
When I read of your passing I was so shocked, the world seemed muted. I felt like thick gauze was in my ears and covering my eyes - the same feeling I get when I leave a rock concert... and I know you know this feeling because you used to manage rock bands. Over time, the gauze feeling has gone, but I am still saddened. The world is a duller without you.
Because you are such a foodie, I wanted to thank you for the food you've given me over the past 2 years. I had my fair share of meals with you - pizza, burgers, breakfast, Ethiopian, Thai, and Indian - but the food I could never get enough of was for my mind. As your student, I will take the following Ghandhi quote with me forever - "Be the change you want to see in the world." As your GSI, I will never forget your stamina. We had that one five-hour meeting to tear your syllabus apart and build it back nearly the same as it was, and it seemed like your energy never flagged, even though by hour 3 I was already cross-eyed. And as your mentee, I will never forget your honesty. At 59, you lived your passions. It is sad, but I could not have imagined a more pure way for you to pass. Doing what you love. I hope got to see the Rosy Periwinkle. In fact, I hope I get to see it one day.
The world may be a bit duller, but your light will stay strong with me.
With much love,
Will
When I read of your passing I was so shocked, the world seemed muted. I felt like thick gauze was in my ears and covering my eyes - the same feeling I get when I leave a rock concert... and I know you know this feeling because you used to manage rock bands. Over time, the gauze feeling has gone, but I am still saddened. The world is a duller without you.
Because you are such a foodie, I wanted to thank you for the food you've given me over the past 2 years. I had my fair share of meals with you - pizza, burgers, breakfast, Ethiopian, Thai, and Indian - but the food I could never get enough of was for my mind. As your student, I will take the following Ghandhi quote with me forever - "Be the change you want to see in the world." As your GSI, I will never forget your stamina. We had that one five-hour meeting to tear your syllabus apart and build it back nearly the same as it was, and it seemed like your energy never flagged, even though by hour 3 I was already cross-eyed. And as your mentee, I will never forget your honesty. At 59, you lived your passions. It is sad, but I could not have imagined a more pure way for you to pass. Doing what you love. I hope got to see the Rosy Periwinkle. In fact, I hope I get to see it one day.
The world may be a bit duller, but your light will stay strong with me.
With much love,
Will
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