The Pennsy
train has been whizzing by Ohio farms all afternoon. If I had the gift of description that John Burrows
possessed I would try to give you that appreciation of his land that the
mid-west farmer has – which, I might add, is very similar to the appreciation
of his land that a Mississippi colored man has, or an Arkansas rice farmer
whose fields flood just about every year when Ol’ Man
River gets out of hand in the Springtime.
That affiliation with the soil is the
tendons & ligaments of a nation. It
is the elusive quality that holds the Chinese patriots together for over a
decade of hard and miserable war. It
was, in my opinion, of very great importance to the Russian men, women and
children that turned back Hitler’s long grey columns at the very gates of
Moscow and Stalingrad.
Ohio in the Springtime…it
is a land of sections – geometric sections composed of squares and
rectangles. Some of the quadrilaterals
are brown, some black, others green.
Some of the brown squares are dotted with a tan
stubble. Some of the green ones are
dotted with moving white, tan and brown cattle.
Some of the cattle are for beefs; most of them are dairy cattle.
The squares and rectangles are sub-divided
geometrically. Most of them have
parallel lines running the length of the section. These straight parallel lines are rounded at
the ends and connect one set of lines to those adjacent to it.
At irregular intervals on our very
irregular checkerboard a complete space will be devoted to a group of three
dimensional blocks. Many of these blocks
are cubes and rectangular blocks with tent shaped blocks on top. This basic pattern is much varied. Some of the larger ones have large
hemispheres or paraboloids glued beside them with the circle down.
On the horizon one always sees cones, and
balls, and irregular patterns stemming from these basic designs, and all
jumbled together.
In the Spring this
effect is striking. Many give a ludicrous
elegance of distinction, presenting a distinguished appearance. Others possess a daintiness that can be
described in no less word that “beauty”.
It isn’t a radiant kind of beauty.
It derives its loveliness by contrast.
In a group of distinguished, elderly gentlemen a beautiful girl becomes
instantly the point of focus for all eyes in the room. This is by virtue of contrast. In the ballroom the beauty is present to a
greater degree, but it is by contrast that one stands out as more beautiful than
the rest.
Yellow and yellow-green are the
predominating colors with spotless white and pastel shades of pink presenting
the contrasts.
Ohio is beautiful in the Springtime.
-RWJ
May 12, 1946
Richard
W. Janson of Canton Township, was born on March 4,
1926 and died on April 6, 2008. Richard, a lifetime resident of Canton and
Stark County, Ohio was a committed family mentor as well as a scholar, scientist,
a teacher and a successful businessman.
After
graduating from Lehman High School in 1944, Richard enlisted in the Naval Corps
V-6 program from which he had a year of education at Denison University, prior
to his flight training. Upon discharge as WW II ended, Dick returned to
complete his undergraduate degree at Denison University in Physics, where he
completed a straight 4.0 grade rating and was awarded membership in the Phi
Beta Kappa honorary society. Mr. Janson was selected as scholar to study
economics under Milton Freedman at the University of Chicago, with an
additional year in the same discipline at Duke University.
Returning
to Canton, Richard joined his brother Raymond in revitalizing Janson
Industries, a stage and theatre equipment firm that manufactures and installs
equipment throughout the United States. In addition to his responsibilities in
Janson Industries, Richard and his brother built, opened and operated Cantons
first commercial television station, WJAN, channel 17, now WDLI. Richard was
also a founding partner in a real estate firm that stimulated industrial
development in Massillon and other areas.
In
the 1970s Richard again pursued his academic career leading to a master’s
degree and ultimately a doctorate conferred by Kent State University in 1991.
Subsequently, as an adjunct professor, Richard taught at Kent’s main campus in
the Department of Geography. For three governors, Celeste, Voinovich, and Taft,
Richard served as Chairman of the Ohio Edison Board, also known as Ohio’s
Industrial and Technology Commission, an institute created by the legislature
to establish and revitalize industries of the state for the future jobs
creation. Additionally he was on the Governing Board of the Ohio Academy of
Science (OAS) serving two terms as president. Dr. Janson also served as a
Councilor of the American Geographical Society.
In
addition to his parents Wilford and Mary Janson he
was preceded in death by a brother Robert Janson an infant son Robert Russell
Janson and his beloved wife Nancy, shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding
anniversary. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law: Holly and Charles
Howland of Mt. Gilead, OH, and three sons and daughters-in-law: Dan and Roxanne
Janson of Los Altos, CA, Ray E. and Pam Janson of Jackson Township, and Eric
and Darlene Janson of Canton Township. Eight grandchildren
and numerous nieces and nephews. Sister: Rheda
Walton of Lake Forest, Ill. Two brothers and sisters-in-law: Ray K. and Florrie Janson of Jackson Twp. and Russell and Barbara
Janson of Tampa, FL.
Richard
was a lifelong member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Member of Trinity Lodge #
710 F&AM and 57 year member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of
Canton. He was the author of two books, numerous scholarly publications and
held several patents. He was also a member of the original planning committee
that led to the establishment of the Wilderness Center. With all of his
accomplishments Richard was a truly giving and kind person who treated everyone
he met with dignity and brought out the best in them.
Funeral
service will be Friday 11:00 A.M. in the Spiker-Foster-Shriver
Funeral Home 710 Tuscarawas St., W. with Rev. C. David Morgan officiating.
Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 5
to 8 P.M. A Masonic service will be Friday 4:45 P.M. In lieu of flowers
memorial may be made to the Wilderness Center Wilmot, OH 44689 or the American
Geographical Society 120 Wall St. Suite 100 New York, NY 10005-3904.
http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/3606101
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