Comments on: In Memoriam: Jim Bishop, 91��Ƶ’s public information officer for 40 years

By: Donald L Frederick

Donald L Frederick — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:23:10 +0000

As a member of the class 0f 1967, I have known Jim for many years and it is obvious that his memory is treasured by many folks over the many years. I still have his CD of songs from our class. Anna will know the kindness of the many friends and have their support at this time and future years

By: David Driver

David Driver — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:52:14 +0000

I worked with Jim in the 1980s as a student at EMC, with my work-study job in Communications. Looking back now, his ability to be a reporter/PR officer in both the secular and Christian fields is not to be overlooked and something I appreciate as I have spent most of my career in the secular realm. My second stint in sports at the Daily News-Record from late 2019 until September of 2021 meant I got to share some of the ink-stained pages with Jim – his stories were much better! Thanks Jim, for being a positive face in what can be a challenging profession.

By: Samir Ahmad Abuznaid

Samir Ahmad Abuznaid — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:23:42 +0000

I am so terribly sorry for the heartbreaking loss. Although I do not know Jim personally but I know that he is greatly missed.
My deepest sympathy to his family ,friends and 91��Ƶ community.
Prof.Dr.Samir Abuznaid
Hebron , Palestine
sameerz@hebron.edu

By: Gretchen H Maust

Gretchen H Maust — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:02:14 +0000

It’s hard to find the words to honor what a stellar person, dear friend and mentor Jim was. Jim was known as “Jimbo” in our family, a nickname that started back in the 70s when he and I were EMC’s entire communications department. I feel such sadness at his passing! Thank you for the lovely tribute, Lauren.

By: Gene Yoder

Gene Yoder — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:47:16 +0000

In reply to Ken Seitz. Hey Ken nice to read your comment about brother Jim. I was fortunate enough to be a fellow student with Jim in the mid 60’s, and then in 68 or so he showed up at MBM for a period of time. Always enjoyed his writing. Hope you are doin well

By: Dot Smucker

Dot Smucker — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 21:33:58 +0000

Jim and Anna were beloved at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart back in the day. Jim and Bob Baker were quite a pair – mutual respect for each other and played on each other’s comments & mischief. Love to you, Anna.

By: Larry E Nolt

Larry E Nolt — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 21:29:59 +0000

Nearly 60 years ago, I first met Jim on the campus of then, EMC&S. I guess we “hit if off” ok, because the next year we decided to dorm together as sophomores on the first floor of the newly constructed Elmwood dorm. That year was memorable on many fronts for both of us. Jim put together a trio called the “Rejects”, whom with the late Warren Grasse, another classmate, and myself, performed with Jim’s ubiquitous ukulele at the then “famous” Bard’s Nest coffee house, where the Seminary now stands. More importantly, it was one of the first dates with Anna that provided for me a most seminal moment in our long lasting relationship.

My 1964 green Rambler convertible provided the transportation for a double date with Jim and his “beauty to behold” life-long relationship with Anna. He first saw her looking out on the campus from the Northlawn railing and said then and there, as we were headed for dinner one evening, “That’s the one for me”!

Then 7 years later when I returned to campus as the first full-time alumni director, we continued a 10 year professional relationship that eventually had Jim working with me as Media Relations Director in the basement of the old Ad Building, next to the budding but well credentialed, Nursing Dept. And publish news items he did. He always met the deadlines and was able to publish the auspicious news as well as some that we wished did not have to be communicated to the community. He became noted for his well written obituaries for faculty, as is evidenced by his own, written however prematurely for his abruptly shortened life.

Throughout the years, it was his Christmas letter, personal notes, CDs made especially for the times, including birthdays, and the perpetual invitation to come visit and stay with him and Anna, that made our relationship so special. He was a true friend, in many ways, having some traits of his namesake, if one knew his father well. The humor, the puns, the pictures, the music, the love of people and 91��Ƶ. Our group picture of our 50th Class Reunion, held on the same weekend as the Centennial celebration, even sported a license plate on the front of his Miata, saying, “EMC”! To me, the person and the institution were nearly inseparable.

Anna and Jim, along with Sam & Vi Miller, visited us in Key West, just two years ago, this month, the very week of my recent wedding to Sherry Groff Read. It was a propitious moment that, unfortunately, they had to miss our actual day, but we celebrated anyway. And little did we know, that occasion would be the last in person contact that I would have with him. Jim will have a special place in my life and heart as his presence will live on in the stack of CDs he provided, the puns that wore off on me, and the memories that our family had of growing up together on the campus and environs of now 91��Ƶ. May you RIP, my dear friend, classmate, colleague and comrade in the faith. Gone, but not forgotten!

By: Tobin Miller Shearer

Tobin Miller Shearer — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:32:37 +0000

Thank you for helping honor Jim in this way. He was such a wonderful, positive source of life. His mentoring helped hone my writing as an undergrad. The way in which he and Anna welcomed me into his home on more than one occasion went above and beyond the call of duty. Such a loss.

By: Michael A. King

Michael A. King — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:52:12 +0000

Wonderfully written, Lauren. My path didn’t cross directly with Jim’s very often so though I sensed, particularly from his writings, that he had much to offer, many of the details you report are new to me–and delightful.

By: Tony Krabill

Tony Krabill — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:32:10 +0000

I don’t think if I have ever laughed (or groaned) as hard with anyone else as much as I did when I worked Jim Bishop. The dad jokes and puns were in abundance. And we shared a love of the oldies and novelty songs, as well as the magic of radio. But Jim was the ultimate master of his writing craft and he had high standards of professionalism. His love of wife, Anna, and family and his devotion to the church and to 91��Ƶ were ever present. He will be greatly missed.

By: Tim Swartzendruber

Tim Swartzendruber — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 18:42:58 +0000

What a beautiful tribute, Lauren! I know Jim’s three younger brothers — Bob, Eric, and Michael — better than I knew Jim. A marvelous sense of humor runs in the family, that’s for sure. So grateful for how Jim used his gifts in service to 91��Ƶ’s mission over four decades.

By: Mike Eberly

Mike Eberly — Sun, 23 Jan 2022 18:59:13 +0000

Jim and I worked in adjacent offices at 91��Ƶ Marketing and Communications from 2000 till 2005, so I have many fond memories of Jim from those days. His sense of humor is certainly top of the list. In fact, whenever I think of Jim, I get a smile on my face! Maybe it’s because one of his puns comes to mind. Or perhaps I remember one of his lively obsessions (like 50s music, Miatas, line dancing, or Krispy Cream Doughnuts with Coffee). Or maybe it is simply the memory of his general approach to life – jovial and fun-loving. I’m sure he will be missed by the many people whom he touched during his life.

By: Patti Helton

Patti Helton — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 16:52:58 +0000

So sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He was an amazing man who always brought a smile. Rest in Peace Jim. Sending his family live and light.

By: Ken Seitz

Ken Seitz — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:39:44 +0000

My relationship with Jim and Anna began in 1967 when he and I were employed by then Mennonite Board of Missions in Elkhart, Indiana. HIs sense of humor resonated with mine; we both shared a penchant for dwelling on “how things used to be.” Over the summer and fall months of 2021 I was happy to provide transportation for numerous trips from his Belmont Estate home to VMRC’s wellness center and return. On such occasions Jim would fill me in on how his illness was progressing, how he was coping with mention of many friends and wife, Anna, of course. Jim was the photographer at events associated with my marriage to Audrey Metz in 2012. Thanks, Jim, for your friendship: we’ll always remember “how things were” with Jim around. Ken Seitz

By: patience

patience — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:50:34 +0000

In reply to Lauren Jefferson, director of communications. What a lovely tribute, and way, to remember him! It is hard to imagine a world without Jim's joyful energy.

Comments on: In Memoriam: Jim Bishop, 91����Ƶ’s public information officer for 40 years