by: Nalini Jain - Winged Post
John Near, member of the faculty for 31 years, died Saturday, September 26 after a five year long battle with colorectal cancer. Near is survived by his wife, Pam Dickinson, the Director of Communications, and his daughter Casey (’07).
His family was informed by a hospice nurse on Thursday, September 24 that despite his strong willpower, the cancer was taking over.
Near was hospitalized at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in El Camino Hospital on May 11, 2009 for a surgery to remove upper leg tissue that was infected by a bacterial spread. Strengthened by his weakened body, the cancer became more rampant, metastasizing to both lungs, his brain, and his bones. This was the first time in two years that there had been an increase in the number of tumors. Near did not return to teach after this date.
Near began his career at the school in 1978, teaching world history and geography. Eventually, he taught eighth grade United States history and also served as department chair. In addition to teaching, Near coached students in basketball and softball, and helped to guide the student council.
Two years after the addition of the upper school in 1998, he moved to the Upper School to teach Advanced Placement (AP) United States government and politics, and AP United States history, subjects he continued to teach until May of last year.
Dickinson and Casey (’07) set up a blog on CaringBridge.com to share Near’s progress as well as invite others to post their thoughts on the guestbook. When he was in stronger health, Near himself would also update the blog. Near appreciated the sentiments on the guestbook: “…thank you all for your ongoing support. This is far and away the biggest challenge of my life and I hope you all know how much your support keeps me going,” he said on a post in late July.
Despite his affliction, Near did not miss any opportunity to live his life to the fullest. His posts on the blog detail his adventures out of the hospital to grocery stores, concerts, and the movies. According to Casey, “[the family] had a list of adventures on our fridge for the last few months. It could be as simple as a trip to the grocery store, the farmer’s market, or to double lunch at Harker. Each time he was able to do one of those things, we circled it, so he could see all he was able to do, and always have something else to look forward to.”
Casey also mentioned that not teaching was one of Near’s biggest obstacles. “Oddly enough, it was never the physical changes — either with his mobility or with the cancer — that seemed to be the greatest obstacles. It was harder to give up the thing he loved most,” she said.
Near touched many lives, both of students and faculty. The day of his death, students posted “RIP Mr. Near” on their instant messaging and Facebook statuses.
After the incident last May, students gathered to support him with frequent visits. Eleven former athletes on Near’s girls basketball team as well as his AP history students formed a team entitled “Team Near” for the Palo Alto Relay for Life. Vickie Duong, an alumni, also created t-shirts to support Near. The t-shirts have a photo of Near as a basketball coach, and on the back, say “Mr. Near is my _____”allowing the wearer to fill in the blank.
Seniors who had Near as their AP United States history teacher greatly miss his presence on campus.
“He really made [the class] an interactive process,” Kendra Moss (12) said. “He made you want to learn. When he approved of your answer, it was like the best feeling ever. It was worth it to try and be the best student class.”
“I am really going to miss him this year, especially when I take AP Government. I signed up for the class because I wanted him to teach me. I really miss him and his passion for history,” Manasa Reddy (12) said.
Near was especially popular for his support of students not only in the classroom, but in their extracurricular activities as well.
“He’d show up to basketball games, and treat us not like his students, but like a friend,” Lung-Ying Yu (12) said. “And of course, all those speeches he gave like at baccalaureate and at Mr. Nichols’ memorial were really good.”
His junior class advisory remembers his charisma in a nonacademic setting.
“All the small details he was focused on, it was amazing. He would always bring hot brownies and encourage us to bring homemade food. He’d always try and emphasize stuff not about school,” said Olivia Zhu (11), a member of his advisory.
Saloni Gupta (11), another member of his advisory, recalls Near’s emphasis on integrity: “He really knew how to approach students and how to interact with them and involve them in all the things that Harker is doing,” she said. “Like when we were doing the integrity and honesty speech after the honor council spoke [last year], he really emphasized how important that was, and he was really open to our different ideas about how to increase honesty and lack of cheating,” she added.
Faculty also remembers his legacy.
In an email sent to the school community, Nikoloff said, “We know that at Harker he will be remembered for the quiet authority with which he walked the halls, his unwavering support for students, and a deep love of his subject, a love that countless students carry in their hearts today into a better future no doubt shaped by his influence.”
Donna Gilbert, Chair of the History Department added: “He was passionate not only about his subject, but also about his students. He was very strong about upholding policies that would benefit students,” she said. “He was a kind of guy that never cut corners, you know? And outside of the classroom he was just a really sweet guy. We will always feel his presence here at Harker. He’s still with us,” she added.
Evan Barth, Dean of Studies, echoed her thoughts about Near’s passion for teaching his students and commented on the esteem the faculty held for him: “I found as his colleague that at faculty meetings he would make astute comments after all the discussion has [finished].
He had so much respect [from his colleagues]– people would listen and realize that what he had said was really right on,” he said.
A memorial will be held on October 10 at 1:30 pm at Nichols Hall to honor Near. Those who wish to attend should RSVP to johnnearmemorial@gmail.com. To follow Near’s wishes, donations, instead of flowers, can be made to The John Near Excellence in History Education Endowment Fund, Hospice of the Valley, CaringBridge, or Silicon Valley Wellness Center.
