My Life
in Review: Have I been Lucky or What?
My Life
in Review: Have I been Lucky or What?
by D. Gregory Van Dussen
One of the Proverbs says that "the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life." Prov 13:14, NIV So it was with Jack Crandall. I was blessed to be one of his students, both as an undergraduate in the '60s, and as a graduate student in the '80s. More recently, I've had the privilege of teaching as an adjunct in Brockport's History Department.
I hope I've been able, in some small way, to embody and pass on some of the rich heritage I received from Jack both in the classroom and in my ministry. I'm so grateful to him and to you, his family, for the honor of taking part in this time of remembering and giving thanks for his life.
Professor Crandall had a deep, sincere love for truth and learning and the exchange of ideas that are at the heart of an academic community. He genuinely cared for his students and poured himself into a continual process of effective mentoring. As students and colleagues we knew his commitment to active learning and personal growth, but also his desire that he and his college and his students would make a difference in a world that stood, and still stands, in great need. He did a great deal to help his department and his college to live up to these ideals.
Another Proverb speaks of words, their beauty and transforming power: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Prov. 25:11 NRSV. Such were Jack's works, written or spoken, in classroom or public forum or personal conversation. He was an artist with words—a virtuoso at venturing valleys of verdant vocabulary! Alliteration and a full marshalling of the English language were hallmarks of his, but so was the content of his speech—open, honest, incisive, challenging, encouraging. He could open up worlds of perspective and possibility. He knew how to motivate us to ask new questions and make new discoveries. He helped us fulfill the promise of the old State University motto: "Let each become all he is capable of being." He was a truly great and wise and gifted teacher.
I will always thank God for the influence Jack has had on my life, and for his never-failing interest in me and my work. How much I appreciated the freedom to drop into his office, and more recently, the joy of receiving one of his many thoughtful letters. Many of us have also known Jack as a faithful Christian, an active participant and leader in those churches over the years. I remember the history that he and Wayne Dedman wrote for their church in Brockport. I recall the part he played in a couple of panel discussions that I attended in that church. I recall our conversation about the interaction between theology and social change.
He was, to quote the Book of Acts, a man "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom." Acts 6:3, NIV. He knew the Source of all wisdom, beyond the reflections and speculations of this world. He knew Jesus Christ, "the wisdom of God," I Cor. 1:24 NIV. Jack's was always a fruitful, transforming wisdom, living and active as God's own word is living and active. "For," as we read in the Letter of James, "the wisdom from above is in the first place pure; and then peace-loving, considerate, and open-minded; it is straight-forward and sincere, rich in compassion and in deeds of kindness that are its fruit" James 3:17, REB—words that paint a picture of Jack.
This was Jack's wisdom, rooted in Christ, deep and generous and strong. This is part of his legacy to us, a legacy that will always remain a precious gift of God. And I am endlessly thankful that the One who is the truth, the wisdom of God in Christ, is also the way to eternal life. John 14:6; 3:16.
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