Jaroslav Schejbal, Ph.D.

July 13, 1922 - December 14, 2020

Service and Interment are private.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Jaroslav Schejbal, Ph.D., was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on July 13, 1922. He passed peacefully at Evanston Hospital on December 14, 2020, with his wife Eva and son David (Judee Richardson) by his side.

Jaroslav lived through tremendous changes in the world. Born into a completely new country that was created as a result of World War I, Jaroslav was only 19 when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia (today the Czech Republic). He was forced to work in a munitions factory making weapons for the Germans. When the war ended, Jaroslav attended Charles University in Prague, and by his mid-twenties had earned a doctorate in English. He was passionate about languages, especially English, and he taught English and American Literature at Charles University during the Soviet occupation.

In the mid-1960s Jaroslav was invited to teach at what was then called Chicago Circle—today the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), but because of the communist regime, he was not allowed to leave Czechoslovakia. In 1968, however, during the Prague Spring, Jaroslav, Eva, and David came to the U.S. They settled in Evanston, and Jaroslav began teaching at UIC. They lived through the turbulence of the late 60s and watched on television the Soviet tanks roll through Prague to reinforce communist rule.

In 1993 Jaroslav officially retired from UIC. He went back to Charles University to teach for a semester, but his heart was in the U.S., so he returned and continued to teach part-time in the Honors College at UIC. He did that every semester until his ninety-second birthday.

Jaroslav was a staunch opponent of tyranny and oppression as well as any person or political party with leanings in that direction. He believed deeply in democracy and in ensuring that each person has the liberty to live the way he or she chooses. He was a gentleman and a gentle man, completely devoted to his family. He lived simply and loved deeply. He is missed.

Service and Interment are private.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Funeral info: 847.673.6111.

Jaroslav Schejbal, Ph.D., was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on July 13, 1922. He passed peacefully at Evanston Hospital on December 14, 2020, with his wife Eva and son David (Judee Richardson) by his side. Jaroslav lived through tremendous changes in the world. Born into a completely new country that was created as a result ofContinue Reading

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Professor Schejbal was one of the the most beloved professors in Chicago Circle's English department in the early 70's. We loved him dearly. One afternoon, we surprised him with a bouquet of flowers and a champagne toast in his office. I think of him when I read Melville and Hawthorne.

The UIC Honors College remembers Professor Schejbal's erudition and charisma, his care for our students, and his dedication to our mission. His former students and colleagues join his family and friends in mourning his loss, yet we take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in the many lives he touched with his passion and humanity. Ralph Keen, Dean

I was sorry to hear of this loss and extend my condolences. May his memory be a blessing.

Jaroslav Schejbal taught a graduate level English class at UIC that was one of the most stimulating, exciting and profound experiences of my undergraduate time there. I particularly recall a class in which he tied themes in "Lolita" to some of Shakespeare's work. I have not been in touch for years but was happy to read that his family was by his side. A privilege to have spent time with this great teacher.

It was a great privilege to know Jaroslav over a 25+ year period. He was an intellectual with a practical and grounded bent -- humble and never elitist. He was a person who lived a noble life and was an inspiration to those who came into contact with him to become better human beings. He personified in his easy-going everyday existence what a "good" person can and should be. We will always remember him fondly.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Jaroslav Schejbal was highly educated wise man, and at the same time very modest, kind, gentle and helpful human being. He taught us English but we have learned from him much more. He gave us his friendship and he has been our precious friend for all our lives. John, Xenia, Roman

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.