2-09-2023 4:01am

Former BASD Superintendent Dr. John Crosby: "Love Alters Not"

Lesley Misko Editor

Who…or what…do you LOVE! The Boyertown Area Expression invited YOU to share your Love Story …leading up to the Big Day.

A few of our readers shared their stories expressing their love for a spouse or partner, a grandchild, a puppy or kitten...whatever it is that they loved or have loved about them or reflecting on what love meant to them. (We were inspired by the NYC project that asked for stories in 100 or less, but, eager to share their messages, we weren't counting words!)

by Dr John Crosby
Drop-dead gorgeous she was as a freshman at Abilene Christian College, Abilene, Texas. Drop-dead gorgeous she is still at 83—after 63 years of married life.

I was a senior when I met her. I fell madly in love then; I’m madly in love today. That summer, after graduating, I drove my two-tone Ford Fairlane to Lubbock, Texas, and bought a carat diamond ring at Zales Jewelry.

I then drove without stopping from Texas to Tennessee and proposed to her at the white glider swing set in the backyard. Her answer was "yes," and the rest is history.

We're moving now to a continuing community retirement community nearby and busy decluttering and preparing our house of 47 years for sale.

Time flies. We’ve enjoyed a great life together and hope for many more years together.

Time changes many things. But, as I watch my beloved wrestle her medical challenges with courage, grace and grit, I know my love for my drop-dead gorgeous Marlene will live forever. Shakespeare was right: "Love alters not."

Dr. John Crosby, Boyertown Area School District's superintendent in the early 1990's, retired from a long career as superintendent of schools and embraced a challenge from a successful entrepreneur to create the Uncommon Individual Foundation, the first nonprofit private foundation dedicated to developing mentoring programs and opportunities. In this episode Jane and Dr. Crosby share stories of their mentors including details from the life of John's own mentor Richard Caruso found in his book Built to Help Each Other.