Glenn Arthur “Chip” Hughes: In Memoriam

Philosopher, political theorist, literary scholar, poet, and musician Glenn Arthur “Chip” Hughes passed into eternity on November 6 due to complications of cancer and stroke. With undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Washington, he went on to earn a doctorate in philosophy at Boston College in 1989, teaching, then, at Simmons College for two years before taking a position at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where he taught for thirty years, the last five as the St. Mary’s Chair in Catholic Philosophy. His awards included a Fulbright Scholar Grant to study at the Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) in 2008.

Dr. Hughes specialized in the philosophy of Austrian emigree Eric Voegelin and that of Canadian Jesuit Bernard Lonergan. His courses and research covered areas of history of philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, philosophy of art and literature, and Existentialism. Among his scholarly monographs are Transcendence and History: The Search for Ultimacy from Ancient Societies to Postmodernity (2003), A More Beautiful Question: The Spiritual in Poetry and Art (2011), and From Dickenson to Dylan: Visions of Transcendence in Modernist Literature. The book, Inherent Human Dignity: A Philosophical Meditation will be published posthumously by the University of Notre Dame Press. Dr. Hughes edited or co-edited six volumes of scholarly essays, including The Eric Voegelin Reader (2017) and he published over 45 articles and book chapters. He authored two published books of poems: Sleeping at the Open Window (2005) and Erato: Twelve Elegies, and he played a major role in editing the works of Northwest poet Robert Sund. A lifelong aficionado of the work of Bob Dylan, Dr. Hughes used his scholarly skills to promote the literary importance of Dylan’s poetics and spirituality.

Born into the renowned Seattle theatrical family of Glenn Hughes Sr., Chip grew up in Seattle, where he made many permanent friends and engaged in many creative pursuits, including playing guitar and singing in the jug band “Norman’s Barnacle Choir” and the country rock band “Hamburger Dan’s.” He directed plays for community theater and Seattle Children’s Theatre, and worked as a taxi driver, housepainter, wooden boat refinisher, and sound recordist for documentary filmmakers. While living in San Antonio with his dog, Natasha, he maintained friendships and collegial relationships across the country and throughout the world. He travelled extensively in Europe with friends and to conferences in Europe and Asia.

Chip was a man of great charm and wit, a captivating raconteur who loved nothing more than an evening with friends, singing songs and telling stories. Even in his last months, when his speaking abilities were greatly limited by strokes, his caregivers spoke of what an honor it was to work with a man of such character and depth, such encouragement and humor, in a house filled with thoughtfully selected books, music, films, and artworks. He will be greatly missed by many kinds of people for many reasons.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (111 NE 80^th St., Seattle WA 98115) on Saturday, November 30^th, at 2:30 p.m.

Print