This is a man who lived with his wife in a mud hut for two years – so remote in the eastern Congo that they needed to fly there in a small plane over a tree canopy as thick as broccoli heads packed together.

This is a man who got into a grad program at Duke University almost immediately after applying – far past any published deadlines, just a month before classes began. An intellectually provocative paper won him admission.

This is a man who made the world-renowned Rosetta Stone language-learning system possible through his computer know-how and vision.

The life of John Fairfield ’70 could read like novel, if he chose to write it up.

Fairfield’s introduction to computers occurred during his 1968-69 year abroad at 400-year-old University of Marburg, where he was asked to use Fortran to do a linguistic analysis of Italian poetry. He would walk into Marburg’s computer center – with its massive mainframe attended by people in white lab coats – and hand in his punch cards for processing, then later retrieve reams of resulting printouts.

Back at Eastern Mennonite College in 1969-70, Fairfield presented his eclectic array of coursework to the dean, Ira Miller, and asked, “How do I graduate?” Fairfield didn’t have enough chemistry courses to be a chemistry major – he had tested out of some of them. He knew German fluently, but needed another language to be a language major (French would be learned the following year). So he and Miller settled on “natural science” as his major.

Jumping to Duke University, Fairfield continued to be an unorthodox student while working full-time. (He and wife Kathryn Stoltzfus ’70, who eventually became a Duke law student, had two children while they were both in grad school.) Duke’s fledgling computer science program relied heavily on faculty drawn from other fields – as was common during the birthing stage of computer academia. No Duke professor was involved in machine perception, the topic Fairfield decided to pursue, with or without their support.

“They kept saying, ‘Why don’t you do this or that?’ And I kept doing what interested me,” recalls Fairfield. “They didn’t know how to evaluate my work.”

Upon completing his not-understood dissertation, Fairfield had no assurance that the Duke faculty was going to grant him his PhD. He sent it to David Waltz, a renowned computer vision pioneer then at the University of Illinois, Urbana -Champaign, who grasped its importance. Waltz sent word back to Duke that he had granted PhDs for much less than what he saw in Fairfield’s work, and Fairfield got his doctorate.

Next came faculty appointments at James Madison University, where Fairfield remained for nearly 20 years, teaching all kinds of computer science courses, but especially relishing the 400-level research courses.

In 1992, Fairfield added his energy and talents to those of brother-in-laws Allen ’65 and Eugene ’72 Stoltzfus, plus Greg Keim, to give birth to a worldwide business now known simply as Rosetta Stone.

They built a team which created and integrated three forms of software: human interface code for language learning via browsers; speech recognition code; and code running the servers on the backend. As vice president of research and development Fairfield was a hands-on boss. “There were more keystrokes of mine in the software we were selling than anyone else’s.”

Fairfield retired in 2006 when the company was sold to financial investors. Fairfield then shifted his focus to envisioning and establishing 91����Ƶ’s Center for Interfaith Engagement, where he remains active as a research fellow. He is the author of The Healer Messiah: Turning Enemies Into Trustworthy Opponents (April 2014, available at rruuaacchh.org).

He also began working with high-end scientific workstations and a Cray-2 Supercomputer as part of a broader Lilly computational chemistry initiative, carried out in conjunction with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois.

Through this partnership Swartzendruber became familiar with a software project named “Mosaic” – the very first graphical web browser – and with Marc Andreessen, co-author of the software.

In 1993, Swartzendruber traveled to the NCSA to talk with Andreessen (who now serves on the boards of Hewlett-Packard and Facebook). Over a pizza dinner, Swartzendruber talked with Andreessen about the idea of an intranet within Lilly. “All he said was ‘cool,’ although in fairness he was busy eating at the time,” recalls Swartzendruber.

Back at Lilly, Swartzendruber worked for the next year to build web prototypes and to sell IT management on the concept. This ultimately led to the deployment of one of the first intranets at a major corporation. Within 12 months of its release in 1995, ELVIS (or the “Eli Lilly Virtual Information Service”) extended across the global Lilly computer network, linking together 35,000 employees across 120 countries. Swartzendruber’s pioneering work was highlighted in Business Week,��Information Week, and the Chicago Tribune, among other major media outlets.

“It was gratifying,” he says, “watching ELVIS grow the way it did. It was interesting and energizing to walk into a Lilly affiliate in Europe or Asia and see what they were doing with ELVIS.”

Swartzendruber, who holds a master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University, retired from Lilly in 2009, but continues to work in the IT field, focusing on ubiquitous computing, system design and IT architecture.

He is currently an IT consultant with Apparatus, an Indianapolis-based IT consulting firm. One of his first responsibilities in 2009 was to help rebuild the computing infrastructure for post-bankruptcy Lehman Brothers so that regulators could dismantle the assets of the investment bank in as orderly and as fair a manner as possible.

“Events throughout the week will focus on the MLK Jr. way of emphasizing issues of justice, pacifism, Christian faith, activism and service, and relationship building,” said Brian Martin Burkholder, campus pastor at 91����Ƶ.

will join with area leaders in the renaming and dedication of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, formerly Cantrell Avenue, on Monday, Jan. 20, at noon.

Additional programs include presentations by , professor of history, and , professor of history and mission at , discussion forums and many community gatherings.

All events are free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should meet at the event location.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

10-10:30 a.m. University Chapel: “Shaped Deeply by MLK, Jr.”

In what ways was the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. formative or influential in the lives of local people? What is the impact of MLK Jr. in today’s society? For what reasons was it important for Harrisonburg to rename a significant street the Martin Luther King Jr. Way? Come hear first-person narratives from local persons who have been shaped by MLK, Jr.

Stan Maclin, director of the Harriott Tubman Cultural Center, and Titus Bender, professor emeritus, will be the panelists.

Location: Lehman Auditorium on the campus of 91����Ƶ.

Thursday, Jan. 16

4-6 p.m. March Out and Speak Out at James Madison University (JMU)

March through the JMU campus and speak out about King’s life and legacy. This year’s theme is “His courage will not skip this generation.” Sponsored by the .

Location: Starts at the James Madison statue near Varner House and ends at Transitions, Warren Hall.

Information: Call 540-568-6636 or visit

Friday, Jan. 17

10-10:30 a.m. 91����Ƶ University Chapel: “Take the First Step in Faith: A History of Inclusion” by Mark Metzler Sawin, PhD.

Location: Lehman Auditorium

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mix it Up at Lunch conversations

Choose to sit at one of the round tables with a mixture of people from the campus and community for guided conversation related to 91����Ƶ’s racial heritage as presented in chapel. Meal passes available for participating community members and for students without a meal plan.

Coordinated by Beth Lehman, PhD, and Kathy Evans, PhD, professors in the 91����Ƶ education department.

Location: Northlawn cafeteria on the campus of 91����Ƶ. and – Dining Hall located in lower level; view available visitors’ parking by clicking display option on lower left.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Worship in local congregations in the Harrisonburg Northeast Neighborhood

– at 9:15 a.m. Buses depart from 91����Ƶ University Commons parking lot at 10 a.m.

Location: 400 Kelley St., Harrisonburg, Va. 22802

– at 11 a.m. Buses depart from 91����Ƶ University Commons parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

Location: Corner of Effinger and Sterling, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802

– at 11 a.m. Buses depart 91����Ƶ University Commons parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

Location: 184 Kelley St., Harrisonburg, Va. 22802

– Church of God of Prophecy at 12:30 p.m. Buses depart 91����Ƶ University Commons parking lot at noon.

Location: 386 E Gay St., Harrisonburg, Va. 22802

3 p.m. Serving the Community Dr. King’s Way

Join the Harrisonburg and Rockingham Chapter of the NAACP for its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. community program with guest speaker Pastor Warne Dawkins from Shiloh Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Va. Music by the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Choir. Freewill offering benefiting The Salvation Army shelter. Transportation is provided. Buses will depart 91����Ƶ University Commons parking lot at 2:30 p.m., and return at 5 p.m.

Location: Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center

Monday, Jan. 20

8 a.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast program

The Sigma Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. hosts “Back to Basics: Managing a Household Budget.” Continental breakfast provided. Donations accepted.

Location: Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center

10-10:40 a.m. MLK Jr. Day Chapel: “A Domesticated King” by David Evans, PhD. An after-chapel discussion forum will follow.

Location: Lehman Auditorium

12 p.m. City of Harrisonburg MLK, Jr. Way Street Renaming Dedication Program

President Swartzendruber is one of the speakers at this event hosted by the City of Harrisonburg. Transportation is provided. Buses depart from 91����Ƶ library circle at 11:30 a.m., and return at 1:30 p.m., for those who do not want to stay for the ribbon cutting and unity march. They will also return to pick up those who do wish to stay for ribbon cutting and march.

Location: JMU’s Memorial Hall Auditorium

1:30 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony by Harrisonburg City Council followed by a unity march from Memorial Hall to Main Street and back to Memorial Hall. Hot chocolate and rest available at the .

Location: Meet outside JMU Memorial Hall

3 p.m. Adopt a Stream, Black’s Run clean-up

Join the 91����Ƶ and departments and club to clean up a stretch of Black’s Run that flows through the northeast neighborhood. Gloves and bags will be provided.

Location: Meet at the Science Center at 2:45 p.m. for carpooling or anytime just outside at 621 N. Main Street, Harrisonburg.

7-9 p.m. MLK Lecture by Dr. Steve Perry

Dr. Steve Perry is the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. formal program speaker. Featured in CNN’s “Black in America” series, Perry is the founder and principal of in Hartford, Conn. Capital Prep has sent 100 percent of its predominantly low-income, minority, first generation high-school graduates to four-year colleges every year since its first class graduated in 2006.

Perry is an education contributor for CNN and MSNBC, an Essence magazine columnist, bestselling author and host of the No. 1 docudrama for TVONE, “Save My Son.”

Sponsored by the JMU Center for Multicultural Student Services.

Location: JMU Wilson Hall Auditorium

Tuesday, Jan. 21

All day – Come Across the Bridge dialogue

Engage with black community leaders, barbers and each other for lively dialogue around issues, dynamics and opportunities related to the MLK, Jr. Way at Tyrone Sprague’s downtown barbershop (6th floor of 2 South Main Street) and at the historic Blakey barbershop in the northeast neighborhood (230 Community Street). You can get a haircut too!

Hosts: Stan Maclin of the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center and Jered Lyons, 91����Ƶ multicultural student advisor.

Thursday, Jan. 23

8 p.m. follow-up conversation/discussion – “The Way of MLK, Jr. – What’s Next?”

Coordinated by Amy Knorr, practice coordinator for the .

Location: Common Grounds Coffeehouse on the first floor of 91����Ƶ’s University Commons.

More info

Admission to all programs is free. For more information on activities related to MLK observances, or for a full schedule of events, visit the or call at 540-432-4115.

Gary L. Stucky, 63, of N. Newton, Kan., died the evening of Jan. 30, 2005, after an extended illness. Dr. Stucky taught chemistry at 91����Ƶ from 1972 to 1993. He also attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary in the mid-90s. Gary was married to Janet Harder Stucky, former assistant professor of dietetics at 91����Ƶ.

Several months ago, Gary underwent surgery for a non-cancerous tumor on the pancreas, but was not able to fully recover. He died of complications at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., where his wife, Janet, was employed.

A memorial service was scheduled for Friday, Feb. 4 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, N. Newton, Kan. I was honored to be asked to prepare some reflective comments for sharing at that service, which follow:
–Jim Bishop

Insightful, affirming, incredibly optimistic – these are among the descriptive words that quickly spring to mind when I think of Gary L. Stucky.

I also immediately think of “Herr Doktor,” “Rev. Stucky” and “Doc Paxton.” These were monikers I used interchangeably in the many salutations issued in person and then in more recent years by electronic mail.

You see, I knew something of Gary’s world of test tubes, chemical formulas and concern for student success in the laboratory classroom from the years he served on the teaching faculty at 91����Ƶ. I wrote the news release announcing his appointment as professor in the chemistry department at 91����Ƶ in 1972. I was sorry to learn in the early 90s that he would be leaving the Harrisonburg area and moving to Kansas.

The “Doc Paxton” moniker combines Gary’s first name with that of Gary (Flip) Paxton, lead singer of the Hollywood Argyles, who had a #1 novelty hit in 1960 with “Alley Oop.” I was pleasantly surprised to discover our mutual passion for vintage music, especially obscure or long-forgotten tunes of the 1950s era. We shared music over the miles from our respective libraries via cassette and compact disc. I started attaching “Reverend” to his handle when he became more involved in chaplaincy work and other ministries. I know that he ministered to me often over the years.

The Kansas-Virginia connection remained strong through our ongoing music interests. Gary was so supportive of the 50s music show I’ve hosted for the last five years every week on WEMC-FM, the “Friday Night Jukebox.” He kept prodding the station to connect to the Internet so he could listen there in N. Newton. I recall how excited he was to start a weekly program of eclectic music on Bethel College’s FM radio station, and then how pleased I was to be able to listen to his two-hour stint on my computer via “streaming audio.”

Gary was an encourager. In recent years I couldn’t keep up with the deluge of e-mails he sent my way. Many were in response to my weekly column, “Bishop’s Mantle,” which he followed on MennoLink or from accessing the on-line version of the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record where my column appears each Saturday. His words of praise provided energy and fresh motivation to carry on.

Gary was a media junkie. He devoured newspapers and news magazine, watched network news (often several channels simultaneously) as an avid follower of current events. Even though he drove a blue Geo Metro, he often walked instead of drove, carrying a radio tuned to some news or talk show. He cared about pain and suffering so evident in the larger society and called us to pray, give and do whatever else we could to at least begin to respond as Christians to a hurting world.

At Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg where we both attended, we could count on Gary getting up almost every Sunday during “sharing time,” either to say “yea and amen” to the sermon or to give a praise item or prayer concern. We didn’t always know the person he asked us to pray for, but a sense of genuine love and concern always permeated these petitions.

Gary was a people person. He maintained an extensive web site – maybe some of you are familiar with it – that reflected his broad interests and deep personal faith. There, and also in e-mails sent my way, one often found references to wife Janet, always affirming, always appreciative of the gift she was to him.

Although separated across many miles the last number of years, Gary Stucky remained a special friend. His homegoing is sobering for me on many fronts, not the least being that he was only four years older than I. I cherish those years we were colleagues at 91����Ƶ, fellow members at Community Mennonite Church and soulmates connected by mutual interests – but most importantly, brothers in Christ all these years of association.

If I know Gary, he’s already working on a radio show to air on WGOD – Amen and FM.