It is not often I will use this space to praise a Wolverine. Today I will. My friend, professional colleague, and U of M graduate John Crumrine is retiring today.

I have known John for 30 years, give or take. A forester by training, John has been a talented conservationist and dedicated his life to public service. He retired a few years back from our agency, USDA - NRCS. That didn't last and he came back to work for the National Center for Water Quality at Heidelberg College. Today John leaves that post, this time he says it's for good. He will be missed. In a time when our land is being pressured to produce more food and more fuel, we need a lot more people like John.

John was one of those guys who came early, stayed late, took the high road, and just plugged away and did his job. His work with the land touched thousands of people. The soils of Seneca County, the trees of Northwest Ohio, and the water in Lake Erie will forever be better because of his work. They don't make them like John any more. Part scientist, part teacher, he was a gifted communicator who could take a complex issue and boil it down to something practical that the person on the street could easily understand. John would say it was because of his Michigan degree; of course I would joke that it is in spite of it.

For 364 days a year John and I are the best of friends. On the 365th, that 3rd Saturday in November, under the cold gray skies, well John and I agree to disagree. Even though he is a Wolverine, John graciously contributed his very own Story of the Shoe that will be in my book. You would like John, and when you read the book, I know you will like his story. It's a good one.

All the best to John and Susan.