FACULTY SQUARES

JANE, all members of the Borchert families, and the assembly of colleagues and friends:

This memorial has eloquently demonstrated the many talents and contributions of John. I am representing the Faculty Squares to very briefly share another side of John—not about academic and professional achievements, and not about expertise.

The Faculty Squares is an old organization, with old meaning a span of more than 50 years involving faculty engaged in the distinctive art of square dancing. The Faculty Squares was privileged to have had Jane and John as long-time members. Obviously we started off being very young, and the Faculty Squares became a melting pot for newcomers to the University. Whereas one might have thought that with this long span of time and with expert square dance callers, we would become a very polished group in square dancing. Jane and John, along with the rest of us, however, never considered honing our square dance skills as a virtue. In this endeavor, scholarship fell by the wayside. Squares, indeed, we remained. In fact, John once pointed out that with our occasional newcomers to square dancing, one could not pick out their presence from the rest of us. The art form of us Squares was in the social interactions—laughing at mistakes, enjoying the company of others, and sharing our specialties in food and drink at our annual parties and picnics. After square dancing, our meetings would initiate special challenges, and this was the forum where John¹s wit matched his infectious smile and the twinkle in his eyes. We had as much fun impeaching our presiding officers as in the twirls and sashaying in our dancing. Thank you Jane and John for being such gracious hosts to our group. Yes, our dancing was distinctive since I can¹t think of a kinder term; but our influence on one another was truly unique and our memories are to be treasured.

Herb Isbin, Faculty Squares