How’s do I approach my professor after their spouse has passed away?

My professor wife died and he’s taking the rest of the fall semester off. I will be having him again for another class next semester and I was wondering when I come face to face with him again do I say sorry for your loss or do I just not mention it? This professor helped me a lot in the class and knew me by name and gave me great advice and I just felt so heartbroken about his loss. But I don’t what would Ben the right thing to do the next time I came face to face with him again. What is the right thing to do? Do I say anything encouraging or comforting or just leave it alone? I don’t want to cross any boundaries.

I would send a condolence/mass card to him at his school address.

Then, possibly open the semester with “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

I agree with @bjkmom . Send a condolence card now. When you see him nextra semester , it’s fine to say “I was so sorry to hear about your wife.”

Why is this even a question? Send him a simple note.

Agree, it is fine to send a handwritten note or condolence card (would not send a mass card unless you are sure he is Catholic) and at an appropriate time when you see him next you can let him know that you are sorry for his loss.

Yes, definitely send a card. I have every single card anyone sent to me when I lost a family member over 10 years ago. It really does make people feel better to know that you are thinking about them when something like this happens.