This is not the exact speech given by Paul.  Rather, it is some thoughts he and Lyda sent us before the program, which were reflected in the talk given by Paul.

As Lyda thought about John she wrote:

In our lifetime we have accumulated many friends, and have known many wonderful people. But a few of them stand out as being very special--they have become an important part of our lives. Jane and John are two of these special people to us.

Through our early years of being young married couples, raising our families, building our first new homes, celebrating special occasions and seeing bits of our world, Jane and John have been there. They have greatly enriched our lives.

John opened the world to us through his way of seeing it. He helped us to understand how people and places are shaped by many things, and how they are all part of a whole: why people live where they do, and what brought them there; why the mountains are shaped as they are due to the movements of the earth; why the rivers flow where they do and why they are colored as they are; why cities grow or fail to grow in certain places. These are only a few of the things John brought to us.

We always thought he would be there. It's so hard to believe he won't be--in person that is. He will always be there in our hearts. With Jane, we will live in a world he made wonderful for us.

As Paul thought about John he wrote:

John had a greater appreciation and understanding of the interaction of geography with the development of mankind's societies than anyone I know. His love and understanding of the world around him enriched his life. His ability to convey this love and understanding enriched the lives of others. In the environment of a fine university his capacity for innovation and creative capabilities flourished. I join others in admiration of his accomplishments. The world produces many good men and a few who are truly outstanding. John was one of these latter few.

But more importantly to us, John was a friend. For over fifty years we have had a deep friendship with John and Jane. While we both lived in Minnesota John and I competed in vigorous squash games in courts underneath the stadium. We enjoyed family trips together, and were often guests in each other's homes. I recall moments together such as when on a beach near San Diego we all saw the "green flash" for the first, and for me, the only time. At a visit in Arizona John introduced us to a fine CD collection called "Relax with the Classics" that we still enjoy.

It has been a privilege to have John as a friend--one of the best I have known. He will be missed much, and remembered well.