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Kevin was an outstanding professor, a mentor and a friend. He was the first person that I met when I arrived to the Institute of the Americas to study my masters degree. From his personality I quickly admired his knowledge and his fascination towards studying the Americas, but also his great sense of community leadership. Since our first session, he showed a gesture I will never forget by calling us "colleagues" rather than just students. Throughout his course 'Democratization in Latin America' he showed me what is now one of my favorite research topics: the study of the transitions to democracy and the necessity to preserve this system in Latin America. I will always remember Kevin's teachings, as well as his personality, and his passion for Latin America. He transformed many lives and will be always missed. Fernando Posada (UCL Latin American Politics MSc, 2020) UCL Institute of the Americas
When I arrived to the UK in late 2015, having been in Mexico and the US, I was lucky to benefit from Kevin's generosity towards young scholars and his dedication to building a network of UK scholars working on Latin America. He went out of his way to welcome me, to introduce me to others, and to help me integrate into the community. He would often write to discuss NAFTA and labor politics, and he paid me the compliment of really engaging closely with my work–a real boost for an early career scholar. I know he was supportive of many young scholars, he was kind and generous with his time. I will really miss him, and hope we can carry on the community he was instrumental in building with Laurence and others. My condolences to his family, friends, and fellow colleagues.Tom Long, University of Warwick
Lamento profundamente la muerte de mi querido amigo y colega y extiendo mi pésame a sus parientes y amigos. Víctor Manuel Durand P, Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales UNAM
It is with great sadness that I learn of Kevin's passing. I was a student in his advanced undergrad course on Latin American politics, in 1981, at Indiana University, perhaps his first semester teaching. He taught me a lot. Over the decades subsequent, I worked with Kevin when we both served in leadership roles at LASA. He was extraordinarily insightful, and a delight to work with. He did a great deal for the profession, and contributed immensely to understanding of contemporary Latin American (particularly Mexican) politics. My most sincere condolences to Helga. Kevin was a wonderful man and his passing is a great loss. Eric Hershberg
My first attempt at deciphering Mexican labor was through his seminal text, if I know anything at all about México it is through Kevin’s work then, and now. Kimberly A. Nolan Garcia, US Department of Labor, ILAB
I wanted to share my condolences for one of the most interesting, engaging and kind teachers I have ever had. Emma, UCL
Kevin was a top academic and a very good colleague. He will be greatly missed. Francisco Panizza, LSE
Kevin was a kind, calm presence as the teacher leading the module on democratisation in Latin America that he taught, as part of my MA in Latin American studies at UCL. He seemed to understood how such a huge and complex topic inspired anxiety in his students and was able to support us through it. He was clearly exceptionally learned and dedicated to his work but he was always approachable, friendly and helpful. Thank you, Kevin, and rest well. Melanie Stern
This is an enormous loss. Kevin was kind, generous, a source of vast knowledge, encouraging, and inspiring. I count myself lucky to have been taught by him, and I will remember him and his contribution to my own development with fondness and gratitude. Sincere condolences to his family. Andrew Law, Institute of the Americas (MSc International Relations of the Americas)
I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Kevin Middlebrook. I was fortunate enough to know Kevin both as a colleague and as my Professor at UCL. We worked together at the Institute of the Americas when it had just moved over to UCL in 2012. I was the Teaching Administrator there and Kevin was the Programme Director for the Latin American Studies and Latin American Politics programmes. Latin America has fascinated me ever since I first saw a photo of Machu Picchu growing up. What a joy it was for me to be surrounded by Kevin and our other colleagues at the Institute, who all shared the same passion and interest in the region as me. He is one of the most important people to have shaped my thinking on Latin America. As a student on the MA Latin American Studies programme, he taught me about the process of democratisation in the region. A key part of Latin America's history that helps us to understand the region as it is today. Kevin was, I think, the only person not to use powerpoint for his lectures. He would sit at the end of the roundtable with a modest pile of books and his notepad and be able to hold the space for us for 2 hours without any additional resources. He would captivate the room with his overwhelming knowledge on the subject and his careful insight, with very few notes to act as a prompt. Some may think this would be intimidating to us as students, but Kevin would always encourage us to share our thoughts and gave us the confidence to do so. I could have sat there for hours listening to him. This is a huge loss for UCL and for the discipline. I would like to send my deep sympathies to Helga and Mariel, he will be greatly missed. Rachel Hall, UCL
Kevin's passing is a profound loss in every sense. He and I served on the same LASA finance committee for many years. While Kevin was not an expert in finance, his kindness, insight, and humility made him the cornerstone of the committee and a pleasure to be with. I cannot believe he is gone and will miss him very much. My condolences to his grieving family. Thomas Trebat, Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro
In addition to being an outstanding scholar and colleague, Kevin was extremely generous in his support of Harvard graduate students over the years. He will be missed by many. Steve Levitsky, Harvard University
Kevin was so much more than my PhD supervisor. He was a dear mentor, colleague, and friend, and he prominently shaped the way I think about Latin America and, frankly, the world. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his loved ones and our IA family. Paul A., National Defense University
Kevin was an extraordinary professor and human being. His teaching heavily influenced my year at the Institute of the Americas. I‘ll never forget how he consistently went out of his way to treat us, his master's students, as his colleagues. We have all lost a massive pillar of our academic development. But I’m confident that his excellent teaching method influenced so many of us, that his impact on this world will live on for years to My thoughts are with his family and the entire institute. May you rest in peace and power, Kevin. Jehivian Hernández
Kevin was a fine scholar and a dear friend. We first met in Washington in the early 1980s, and collaborated on many projects over the ensuing decades. Most recently we partnered as sponsors of the British Network on Latin American Politics. He was a great colleague, and will be sorely missed. Laurence Whitehead, Nuffield College Oxford
What sad news to hear of Kevin's death! He was a terrific colleague and provided much valued service to LASA in multiple roles, from being one of the most dedicated Treasurers of the Association, to fundraising and supporting its new initiatives. He will be greatly missed! Carmen Diana Deere, University of Florida
In late 2014, I decided to send a Ph.D. proposal to Kevin, requesting him to consider becoming my supervisor. Kevin's enthusiastic response was unlike that of any other professor that I approached. He requested a meeting to discuss my project, showed such genuine interest, and encouraged me to formally apply. At the time, I did not know how fortunate I was to have him support me, but I got to realise this over the next few years of working with Kevin. Simply put, I could not have wished for a better mentor. Kevin taught me more than I can put into words, and with his extensive experience, sharp mind, and eye for detail he was essential in my formation and development as a scholar. Besides that, he was a kind-hearted and warm man, and I am grateful to have known him. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will be missed by many. Quintijn Kat, Ashoka University
I am very sad to hear that Kevin is no longer with us. He was an exceedingly generous PhD supervisor to me and many others. He went above and beyond what was excepted, and was always available and happy to exchange ideas both during and long after the PhD was completed. He had a great sense of humour, a sharp wit and a refreshingly pragmatic common sense. He will be missed. Kevin will also be remembered for his rigour, wealth of knowledge and his ability to identify a good narrative. His legacy as a scholar will endure and will influence many generations to come. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Guillaume Long
I was privileged to have Prof Kevin Middlebrook as my PhD supervisor. He was an early believer in the potential of my research and with his kindness, warmth and impressive knowledge of the field of study, helped me shape it significantly over the past couple of years. Beyond that, Kevin was a mentor who could see the bigger picture in situations and helped me navigate work/life balance, career and goals. I first met him when I was doing my Master’s at the Institute for the Study of the Americas, between 2005 and 2007. Kevin was highly respected and will be deeply missed by his students and colleagues. I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss. Pablo Uchoa, Institute of the Americas
Kevin was a longtime colleague who was notable for his intellectual generosity. While maintaining the strongest academic rigor in his teaching and writing, his passion for social justice was always a strong pillar supporting that work. He will be greatly missed by so many. Sandra Polaski, Independent Mexico Labor Expert Board; Boston University
I met Kevin when he was a graduate student at Harvard and I a beginning undergraduate. We shared a passion for Latin America, and Kevin became a supportive mentor to me. We both spent time at the University of California, San Diego, but while I remained in southern CA, Kevin moved to London. We continued our friendship, our academic pursuits of Latin America, and found opportunities to connect over the many years, especially over delicious meals at our respective homes and in his favorite London restaurants. I came increasingly to appreciate Kevin's academic passions, his intellectual prowess, and his absolute integrity. We both struggled when, after working to honor a mutual mentor, we were forced to confront his heartbreaking shortcomings. Most recently, Kevin shared with me his excitement about his final book manuscript, which I hope will shortly be published. The death of a friend inevitably brings sadness. I hope that his academic contributions and the memories of his friends keep him alive for all of us who cared for him. My wife Jane, and I, convey our deepest regrets to Helga and Mariel as they work to move forward, while preserving the positive memories of their husband and father. RIP David Mares, University of California, San Diego
I met Kevin when I began my Master's at the Institute in 2020. He was such a committed, kind and thoughtful tutor and his teaching and guidance left a real mark on me. Thanks to Kevin, I was able to develop such a rich understanding of the Latin American region. I will always be immensely grateful to him, not least because I met my partner and some of my closest friends through his class. Above all, I will always remember how respectful he was to every one of his students - or, as Kevin would prefer to call us, 'colleagues'. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends during this time. Miriam Rodero (MSc International Relations of the Americas, 2021) UCL Institute of the Americas
When my book (from my thesis) was finally published in April of 2022, Kevin was among the first persons I proudly told. Kevin responded immediately with warm congratulations and a invitation to a celebratory dinner when next I was in London. He was my excellent thesis supervisor between 2009 - 2013 and was persistent in pushing me to turn convert the work to a book. He was instrumental in getting me to narrow down my topic and, from memory, rattle off names of books I had to read. I quickly knew that while he was not a Caribbean expert that this was the supervisor I needed — always sound, wise, rigorous and inspiring confidence. And yes, he did become a colleague. While the celebratory dinner did get to not happen, there are fond memories. I pay tribute to him and share my heartfelt condolences with his family and all at UCL-IA. Dr Dylan Vernon (PhD, 2013) UCL Institute of the Americas
I was so sad and shocked to hear of Kevin's passing. I got to know him when I was a visiting fellow at the US-Mexico Center at UCSD in San Diego. Kevin was very kind to me then. He was a wonderful scholar and I learned a lot from his work. We had common interests in labour rights in North America, and I was looking forward to seeing his long-awaited book. I hope it will come out posthumously, I'm sure it will represent an important contribution to the field. My condolences to [his widow] Helga and his other family and friends. Laura Macdonald, Carleton University
Although Kevin was known mainly as a Mexicanist, I first encountered his work as a graduate student studying the international relations of Latin America. The volume he edited with Carlos Rico, 'The United States and Latin America in the 1980s: Contending Perspectives on a Decade of Crisis' was a go-to collection of essays which pioneered new ways of thinking about inter-American relations. The book's contents reflected Kevin's commitment to bringing in a wide range of views, regardless of whether or not he agreed with them, which was relatively rare in those ideologically charged times. I did not know Kevin well, but even so I valued what he brought to the study of the Americas in London and wanted to send my condolences to his family and close colleagues. Professor Nicola Miller, UCL Institute of Advanced Studies and Department of History
I knew Kevin from his grad student time at Harvard. He was an exceptionally clear-minded, determined, and intelligent student, who did a wonderful thesis on Mexican unions, 1940-78, the best study I know of the subject. We stayed in touch ever after. It was always good to see him, clear as ever, energetic, and full of interesting insights into Mexican labor and politics. I saw him last a few months ago; he was the picture of health. I will sorely miss him. My condolences to his wife and daughter. Professor John Womack Jr, Harvard University
Professor Middlebrook was very generous at sharing his knowledge. I have learnt a lot from his session. He won't be forgotten. Claudia Gray, UCL
I did not know Kevin well—mostly through his scholarship and reputation--but I overlapped with him at UCSD’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies for a year while I was writing my dissertation in 1995. More than anything, I remember his warmth and the way he interacted with anyone and everyone with the same qualities of dignity, respect, and generosity. As a young scholar, still insecure amongst future colleagues, this meant more to me than any amount of academic advice (from which I benefited as well!). He showed me the very best qualities of human and collegial professional relationships, and all I can do is work to pass that on to others. With lasting gratitude, Professor Ted Beatty, University of Notre Dame
I had known Kevin for the past 20 years, and we had several enjoyable lunches and dinners in each other's homes. He was a kind and wise friend, and an acute analyst of Mexican affairs. My deepest condolences to Helga and their daughter. Michael Reid, Writer
Today, a good friend told me about the death of Professor Kevin. For me, was a shock! I participate con Kevin and a project about Labour courts in Mexico during nineties. We wrote different articles. I learnt a lot from him, his dedication and passion for Mexican labor were admirable. Labour studies lost a very important scholar. My best thoughs to Dra. Helga, his wife and his daugther. A solidarity hug. Cirila Quintero, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte
I was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin. I had the pleasure of being his pharmacist for many years, I had always found him to be pleasant, kind and courteous as well as and good natured; he had a calmness and collective way about him with that soft Maine accent.Whenever we met we always spoke about his family and his work, I found him to be very knowledgeable and always took an interest in my work. It was a pleasure to have served him for so many years and I will miss him very much, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rajesh Mistry, House of Mistry Pharmacy, South End Green, Hampstead