I just got an email informing me of the passing of longtime UNLV professor Dr. J. Michael Stitt. Though I’d seen Mike at several department meetings at the beginning of semesters, my main memories of him will be from the class I had him for as an undergrad. Here’s the comment I left in this guest book:
Dr. Stitt was an inspiration to me as a student and as a teacher: his lectures flowed from his vast love and knowledge of his subject. I only had him for one class–Mythology–but his skill at telling stories sucked me in. I’ll always remember his summary of the evolution of mythology: the further north you go, the more violent the mythology gets. Thus my interest in Norse mythology, courtesy of good Dr. Stitt. And when I teach now, I try to tell stories the same way he did. Thank you, sir.
My condolences go out to his family. He was a great guy and a great teacher; we lost him too soon.
Consider honoring him by reading some stories from Norse and Celtic mythology.
Gently Hew Stone 
I was a classmate of Michael in high school. Could you put me in touch with his family?