Remembering John

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Remembering John topic started 6/24/2005; 6:23:44 AM last post 6/24/2005; 6:23:44 AM

mbertoli@m... - Remembering John   6/24/2005; 5:23:44 AM (reads: 2075, responses: 0) I only saw him once (presenting at CCCC’05 in San Francisco), but the person he was—professional, personal, confidant, caring—was clear and unforgettable that day.  That night warming myself by a wireless connection in my hotel lobby, I found his weblog and entered his world. From, time to time I’ve dipped back in to that world over the last three months.  Once, when he posted about his son’s passing, I had to close my computer and walk away—so moved was I by the words of a man I hardly knew.  Again, when I read his post about his own retirement, his moved me once more.  I felt for such a man 40 years of teaching was not enough.  I teach in a small four year college, where it is easy to feel at the center of the universe, but the work of educating the country really happens elsewhere in large two year colleges such as John’s where he taught 265 students a year to become better writers and to take their place in the mainstream of educated, articulate adults. Clearly, a star has passed from the earth, but he has left such a legacy behind.  To his family, colleagues, students, friends, I offer my condolences.  May those of us who can try to advance the work he loved.  As for me, I’m closing my computer for a while.  May flights of angels sing him to his rest. Mary Ellen Bertolini Middlebury College Discuss