Mr. Randall graduated from Newton Local Schools, Pleasant Hill, Ohio in 1964, and in 1968, received a BS in Education from Ashland College with a double major in English and History.   

This is the eulogy delivered by Geoff Andrews, Superintendent OCS,  at Mr. Randall's funeral.  John was a long time teacher, beloved by generations of Oberlin graduates.  

Good afternoon.  My name is Geoff Andrews, and I was a student of John’s in the late 70s.  I now serve as the superintendent of the Oberlin Schools, but I have remained a student of JR’s.  In July he assigned me this essay, and every time I saw him after July, I begged him for an extension.  He was remarkably accommodating.  He also let it be a group project – my brothers Erik and Chris and my sister Elise have all contributed to what I share with you today. 

 A month and a half ago, I walked into an 11th grade English classroom at Oberlin High School and the class was reading Macbeth.  Without even thinking about it, I rattled off the dozen or so lines of Macbeth’s soliloquy that begins “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.”  The students were mightily impressed, as was the teacher when I explained that it was just one of the many memories seared into my head by my brilliant junior English teacher, John Randall.

 We learned that Shakespearean passage in JR’s class, where he required that we memorize it and recite it for everyone.  Like many of the lessons learned from him, I have never forgotten it in over 30 years. In addition to Macbeth, JR taught us American Literature, from the Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials to Huck Finn to John Steinbeck to JD Salinger (ironically, he passed away just two days ago).  We also attempted to master some grammar and vocabulary in JR’s class.  I did this morning’s sudoku but not the crossword puzzle, so you can draw your own conclusions there.

 JR is proof that those who teach, touch the future, and their impact outlives them.  I assure you that this is true; JR assigned me this essay that specifically would not be due until he had left this earth.  I appreciated his repeated extensions for this assignment – his original prognosis had this event forecast for half a decade ago, but his faith and his strength gave us all an extension of several years.    

 For that, I am so grateful, because that allowed Dawn to come into John’s life, and all of our lives.  It also gave us many more opportunities to build memories, and to continue learning from this great teacher.  And now, JR is done giving me extensions.  However, being the consummate teacher that he has always been, I imagine that he will find a way to send me a grade.  I hope I pass.

 JR taught more than standard literature.   And he helped us recognize that literature reaches well beyond books. He had us study – really study – the lyrics to songs.  I recall writing a paper comparing and contrasting the Springsteen song Badlands to John Steinbeck’s classic “Grapes of Wrath.”  Erik recalled studying the Eagles “Hotel California” with JR – “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” He had us study songs from several eras and genres, including religious songs, long before he found his steadfast faith.  Last I talked to Erik, he was still trying to figure out a greater meaning to Larry Pratt’s song Pants on the Ground. 

 JR would also have us analyze lyrics, poems, or passages from multiple perspectives.  He was good at getting us outside our comfort zones, providing reassurance that we could be successful without being traditional.  He had an amazing connectedness with students, and a passion for our success.  That was probably one of the reasons I came to visit him before applying for the Oberlin superintendency – to seek his counsel and wisdom. Initially, he discouraged me from applying, saying he felt that this job, in this district, just could not be done (and there are those days I agree). Then, through further discussions and broadening our perspectives, he came to believe it could work, and he remained a steadfast supporter, a wise advisor, and endless source of encouragement for the rest of his life. 

 The last book he taught in his curriculum each year was JD Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.”  JD and JR both valued authenticity: Salinger in his writing, John in his living.  For those of you may have never read Catcher in the Rye, or have forgotten this classic, the story surrounds Holden Caulfield, a troubled teen who is struggling to figure out his role in the world, just like most high school juniors that JR taught.  Late in the novel Holden finally verbalizes his torment and his dream as he tells Phoebe, his sister: “You know what I’d like to be? I mean, if I really had my bleeping choice? You know that old song – if a body catch a body comin’ through the rye? …anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all.  Thousands of little kids, and nobody’s around – nobody big, I mean – except me. And I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start going over the cliff – I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them.  That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.  I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be.”    

 And the very next thing that happens in the book is that Holden calls up his favorite English teacher.

 John, you were our Catcher in the Rye.  You kept us off the cliffs, and you inspired many of us to do our own catching.  

Thank you, and Godspeed.