John Banderob
Math Department and Robbins House Head
Member of the Faculty, 1974–2016
Dare to be true, nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.
John Banderob embodies our institutional memory, and we’ve relied on his honesty and stories in our daily work. I’ve been privileged to witness John empowering students to be truthful in Discipline Committee meetings. John teaches students respect by being respectful, and to listen by listening. In and out of the DC, students and adults pay attention when he speaks.
In the classroom, John often quotes “If all you have is a hammer, the entire world looks like a nail.” He inspires students to take a new perspective, to try a new approach. Sometimes he’s talking about math, sometimes not. John’s not shy about tossing out a lesson plan in deference to a class’s need to talk about an important community issue. Donald Duncan liked to say, “John always puts the heart before the course.”
But, John loves to teach math. He has an infectious enthusiasm for numbers, problem solving, and making new connections. John and I have collaborated to produce many course documents, but for me, this was about process, not product. John can listen to me jump from idea to idea, just as he hangs in there with every student who is trying to piece together coherent understanding.
John expresses his wisdom and compassion in a variety of ways. Many times, he has stood by my desk, mustache twitching, holding out his Zits page-a-day calendar: “This guy just gets adolescent boys.” John has a sublime sense of the ridiculous and practices the fine art of sarcasm: “If the thunder don’t get ya, then the lightning will.” Jerry Garcia quotes, irreverent Facebook posts, and bantering with Gregg Reilly until everyone at the top of Ware is laughing themselves breathless: John has helped the math department live large.
On the other side of Centre Street, John has been living his respect for women through his dormitory work in Robbins House. In the house head apartment lies the core of John’s love and loyalty—his devotion to Ricky, Rachel and Jessica. Class after class of Robbins girls have been gifted by knowing all the Banderobs.
Thank you, John, for the laughter and tears we have shared. You are my big brother and I will miss you, but I will remember to ask a question first, format document tables, and not worry about the thunder.
Terri HerrNeckar
Math Department