Sid Bacon

When I was approaching tenure, I had submitted a very important paper to JASA.  Sid was the Associate Editor.  I don’t remember much about the review process, but I do remember vividly that at the end, I got into a sticky situation because JASA was going to charge me page charges because they estimated that the paper would be over 12 pages.  I was pretty sure it would be under 12 pages, and I didn’t have any way to pay page charges at that time.  The tenure clock was ticking, and I had an email exchange with the Editor in Chief that did not go well.  Sid pulled in a favor from someone in the editorial office.  They mocked up the paper and showed that it would come in just under 12 pages, and it was published with due haste.  I also got tenure, and I suspect Sid had a role in that as well, but that is another story.

I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to know Sid. Whenever I came by his office unannounced, no matter what his workload, he always made me feel welcome. He was a compassionate mentor and he patiently guided me through difficult steps in my early days in the Dean's office. He always had a smile on his face and he always asked about how I was doing. He led by example, and I am grateful that I was one of the fortunate ones who got to know his wisdom, his courage, and his kind heart.

– Cheryl Conrad

We offer a toast to a remarkable man! It was a highlight of my career when Sid decided to come to Vanderbilt, and I remember with fondness the two short years the Bacons were here in Nashville. Not only did Sid and I have a great working relationship (collaborating on several interesting projects with several students), but I discovered what a terrific person and friend he was, and what a wonderful family he had! We still remember the great hospitality you showed us, both in Nashville, and later, when we visited you in Tempe.

We also remember your hospitality on the island of Oahu in 1988. The Acoustical Society was meeting there in November that year, and we took the opportunity to make it our honeymoon trip (having wed the previous month). You invited us to your hotel room for a special toast in our honor, a gesture we have always appreciated. Now, we offer a toast to Sid, remembering with gratitude all of the many such gestures he, and his family, have extended to so many people for so many years. We will always remember you with warmth and admiration.

– Wes and Beth Grantham

To Sid, who taught us all how to live these past 19 months.  What a wonderful and remarkable man.

– Eric Healy

Sid Bacon always recognized service and accomplishments of others in the department.  As Chair of the Speech and Hearing Department he demonstrated strong leadership skills mainly through his ability to build rapport and department pride.   There were several events and newsletters that I organized during the time that he was Chair as this was my role as a member of the public relations committee.  Every time I did anything that was out of the daily routine, such as arrange a department open house for our new building, he made a real point to let me know how much he appreciated my work and efforts.  I know that most administrators do this sort of thing so it may not sound like much, but it was the way he conveyed his appreciation.  He just had it.  He could make you feel like you did something great and that it really meant a lot to him and the department.  It made me want to volunteer for the next project because it was my way of helping build a great unit.  He was a great man and leader and he will be sorely missed.