It doesn't seem possible that a spirit as huge as John's could actually be gone in such a short time - and clearly, based on these messages, much of his spirit remains. At the first CCCCs I attended, John was the keynote speaker as the chair, and I was mesmerized by his risk-taking at the edge of media.

A few years later, when I began a dissertation project, he was one of the names I decided on as a participant, and I began to get to know him through his blog and our exchanged emails. He became something of a father figure to me, this larger-than-life, always straight-forward presence who seemed to wrap up the entire world in his energy. When I came to Palo Alto to interview him on the day before Father's Day of last year, he invited me to his home, his office, his neighborhood, his life, and a corner of his heart. He was outspoken and adamant about his beliefs - how could anyone not be taken in by such passion for teaching and for life?

Rather than say he was a great man, which is what all epideictic writing wants us to do, I must say that he was a very good man doing great things. He seemed devoted to his family, his students, and his work, and I was very fond of him. I am still shaken by his death, and I will miss him. My thoughts and best wishes are with his family - B, B, and T. Comfort to you.

Kelli Custer