Dean and Director Carol Lewis presents John Fox with a retirement gift at an April 15 gathering.After 38 years, Associate Professor John Fox will be retiring at the end of spring semester. He was feted April 15 at a celebration hosted by SNRAS. Fox has been part of the Forest Sciences department since 1973.
SNRAS Dean and AFES Director Carol Lewis presented Fox with an inscribed ax to help him remember all the fun times at the Farthest North Forest Sports Festival. UAF Athletics Department gave him a basketball signed by the Nanooks, caps for all the grandchildren and a pair of lifetime passes to UAF athletic events. The staff and faculty took up a collection so Fox can add to his already extensive book collection. They also penned their memories of Fox in a cloth-bound journal imprinted with leaves.
UAF Athletic Director Forrest Karr (left) presents John Fox with gifts at the retirement party. (photo by Elena Sparrow)A slide show by Professor Stephen Sparrow pointed out the highlights of Fox’s nearly 40-year career at UAF, from bellbottom jeans to the moose that drops candy outside of Fox’s office.
John and Sheila Fox (photo by Elena Sparrow)
In the tributes, Professor Dave Valentine said Fox always created an environment in which students can learn.
Professor Glenn Juday said Fox is known for his bedrock integrity, his humanity and putting the interests of the students first. “He’ll be teaching us in a lot of ways for a long time,” Juday said.
Professor Emeritus Tony Gasbarro regaled the crowd with the tale of the time the two came across a black bear on a field excursion. “What do we do?” Fox asked, to which Gasbarro replied, “I don’t know.” They obviously survived the ordeal and it gave them a good story to tell over the past decades.
Fox’s wife Sheila and the couple's children and grandchildren were on hand Friday to share the happy occasion. One of the most touching moments was when daughter Cara Fairbanks read a poem she wrote for her father. (reprinted below with permission of the author)
Professor Glenn Juday said Fox is known for his bedrock integrity, his humanity and putting the interests of the students first. “He’ll be teaching us in a lot of ways for a long time,” Juday said.
Professor Emeritus Tony Gasbarro regaled the crowd with the tale of the time the two came across a black bear on a field excursion. “What do we do?” Fox asked, to which Gasbarro replied, “I don’t know.” They obviously survived the ordeal and it gave them a good story to tell over the past decades.
Fox’s wife Sheila and the couple's children and grandchildren were on hand Friday to share the happy occasion. One of the most touching moments was when daughter Cara Fairbanks read a poem she wrote for her father. (reprinted below with permission of the author)
A Poem for My Dad at Retirement
Thirty-eight years, it’s amazing to see,
Someone who’s loyal and wise as can be;
For you it’s a chapter, just half a lifetime,
A noble career that’s worth a big rhyme!
When you first started, I wasn’t around,
Then UAF became our favorite playground;
Colleen and I, we’d always plead,
Can we go, can we go to the Ernie Bird Seed?
As we grew up we started to see
All the cool things you do, from ethics to trees;
Hydrology, tree rings, natural resources,
Models and programming and teaching your courses;
Watershed projects and fieldwork galore,
Spinach Creek, Harding Lake, like playing outdoors!
Your office is filled from wall to wall,
Papers and books, stacked up so tall;
High heels and photos, V8 juice,
And chocolate candies pooped by a moose!
And let’s not forget your skills on the courts,
Shooting the hoops with your holy shorts;
As the UAF faculty athletic advisor,
You cheer on the students, in classrooms, on risers.
And now let me get to the heart of my poem,
The example you set both at work and at home.
You showed us integrity, spirit and passion,
Dedication, hard work, you never do ration.
Continue to question, ever seeking more knowledge,
Discuss and philosophize, in life and at college;
If the answers we seek are not to be found,
Make a spreadsheet, experiment, they’ll come around.
Doctor, professor, advisor, and poet,
Athlete, philosopher, researcher, you know it.
Forester, programmer, inventor, there’s more,
Hydrologist, scientist, ax thrower for sure!
You’re so many things to so many folks,
Ever selfless and wise and quick with the jokes.
As this long chapter comes to an end,
Know that you’re loved, as Dad, coach and friend;
The next phase awaits with so much in store,
Fun with your grandkids, sharing knowledge and lore;
Working on projects that have long been put off,
Playing more b-ball, so as not to get soft!
Camping, canoeing, research for fun,
Reading and playing, get out in the sun!
Trips down the road in the famous Suburban,
If it breaks down, no worries, just bring out the bourbon!
Seriously though, I just want to say,
That you are my hero and today is your day!
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