Berent Enc (l938 - 2003)

The following obituary ran in the Capitol Times on January 10, 2003.
MADISON - Berent Enc died in the early morning of Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at Meriter Hospital, his wife Jennifer Jones and his family at his bedside. His death was due to complications of lung disease and cancer. Berent had retired a year ago from a distinguished career in the Department of Philosophy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; for more than 30 years he was at the center of philosophical life and community in the University, serving twice as chair of the department. Berent was born in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 24, l938. His father, Rakim, and his mother, Fahriye, have preceded him in death. He maintained ties with his native Turkey throughout his life, though he became an American citizen. He was educated at Robert College, Istanbul (now Bogazici University), where he was an actor and director of some celebrity with the respected Robert College Players. He then briefly attended Princeton University, studying electrical engineering, and then Oxford University, where his interest in philosophy was conceived. He received his doctorate from Oxford in 1967. It was then he came to Madison, with his first wife, Murvet, whom he had married in 1966, to take up his first appointment at Wisconsin. After two years of national service in the Turkish army, he returned to Madison on a permanent appointment. In l977 his daughter, Defne, was born. In the 1980s Berent was a visitor at the University of Southern California, and spent research semesters in London and Istanbul. During this period he was married for a time to Julie Smith. Berent's first field of specialization was the philosophy of science, and he brought the convictions of scientific naturalism (and vestige of engineer's mentality) to his later work in the theory of knowledge, mind, and action. His published papers made solid contributions to the progress of each of these fields, and to the understanding of the philosophy of David Hume. His influence on the philosophical work of his closest colleagues in philosophy was profound. He was a superb and widely loved teacher. It was a pleasure to listen to his lectures. He greeted his students' efforts with an artful combination of generous interpretation and firm criticism. His book, "The Way We Act," will be published by Oxford University Press later this year. Berent was the most civilized of men. He was a deeply devoted lover of music and drama. He was a serious bridge player and an audiophile and he loved mystery novels and traveling in Europe and showing his friends and family around Istanbul and Turkey. His company was delightful. In 1993, he married Jennifer Jones, and settled into a newly happy life with her on Adams Street. He was a masterful cook of great range and skill, and a host without parallel; an evening at Berent's, in the warmth of his and Jennifer's hospitality, was an event to remember. Berent is survived by two stepchildren, Summer and Corey McCorkle; in addition to his wife and daughter. He will buried in Bent Cemetery in Bryant, near Antigo. There will be no service. A memorial gathering will be held at OLBRICH GARDENS from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 www.cressfuneralservice.com .
 Capitol Times on Jan. 10, 2003.