A Sad Loss: Jens Elmegård Rasmussen (1944-2013)

Jens Elmegård Rasmussen, a brilliant and original Indo-Europeanist, the spiritus movens of the Copenhagen school of IE studies, has passed away. I am shocked by the news. Jens was a great scholar, but also a kind man and a wonderful host. We had known each other for years as fellow members of Internet linguistic forums before we first met in real life. It was tremendously generous of Jens to share his learning with other people in public discussions. My own debt to him is enormous. My condolences go first and foremost to his wife Birgit, and to all my friends and colleagues in Copenhagen. Jens's ideas will continue to inspire others. Great thoughts never die.