I am grateful to John for his tireless efforts on behalf of two-year colleges.  He was a credit to the field in general, but particularly to schools that sometimes must fight to gain credibility.  On a more personal note, I'll always remember the kindness and compassion John showed me at a particular NCTE meeting in Atlanta.  I had gone there as a member of the CCCC Executive Committee.  However, I never made it to the meeting.  Instead I spent the conference in the hospital.  John showed up with a card signed by the entire committee.  As busy as he was with his officer's duties, he took the time to check on me.  I was very moved by this gesture and have remained so.

My deepest regrets to John's family.

Stephen Ruffus