Newspaper Clippings
Comments by Greg Johnson (30 Jan 2008)
I remember that it was a sunny day on Friday, 24 March 2006. That was the day I’d planned to go on a road trip to visit Postville, Iowa. The weekend visit was organized and sponsored by the Blesofsky Family — they run our local Chabad House and associated website here in Iowa City.
My companion for the weekend visit to Postville was Michael Balch. We were assigned to stay with the same Jewish host family for the weekend. Michael graciously offered to drive his car. We left in the afternoon so as to arrive before the start of Shabbat.
I’d come to know Michael fairly well over five years through various local Jewish gatherings and events. He was usually present on Saturdays at the Hillel Jewish Student Center for Shabbat prayers and the lively Torah study that followed. Often after prayer (Davening) and Torah study, a small group of us would walk with Rabbi Blesofsky to the Chabad House for a Shabbat meal and good conversation. After the Shabbat gatherings, those in attendance would walk back to their respective homes. Several of us, including Michael, would walk together since we were heading in the same direction. During these walks, the conversations would continue. Sometimes I would walk a few blocks beyond where I needed to turn. Michael would say, “Isn’t this where you need to turn?” but I would just keep walking. The conversations were fascinating to me. We talked about religion, politics, health, ethics, society, and computers (we were both Apple computer users). Michael inspired me to greater acts of kindness and giving.
Michael always took time to listen to me and he showed genuine interest in what I was saying. Even if something I was saying were contrary to his views or positions, he would listen and really give it consideration. If we were to have labels, his might say “Conservative” and mine might say “Liberal.” Yet, there were many issues we agreed on. Despite any differences we might have had, our discussions were always respectful. It was as if we both had, ultimately, the same goals, values, and ethics at heart. I admired Michael for his support of and participation in diverse tangents of Jewish community. He seemed to have an interest in knitting the community together.
The weekend visit to Postville was really quite amazing. Friday night, our group from Iowa City attended the Synagogue. It was the first time I had an opportunity to join with with a room full of singing and dancing Rabbis. I learned a lot over the weekend about the history of the community. On Sunday, we went on a tour of the meat packing plant. As a vegetarian, I wrote an article about the tour from my perspective. Having the opportunity to visit with Michael that weekend made the trip a more interesting experience.
Over the past few years, outside the context of Jewish events, I’d see Michael out for a walk in Iowa City. I would be on my bike, or walking, and would take a moment to stop and visit. Michael always greeted me with a kind smile. He had sincere compassion and a genuine interest in how my life was going.
Yesterday was Michael’s funeral. News of his passing was a surprise to me. In the morning, two hours before the funeral, I read the e-mail announcement that had been sent the day before. A prompt burial is part of the Jewish custom.
I think I was a bit in shock yesterday. This morning around 4:30 AM, I woke with a desire to write down some thoughts and memories about Michael. I might add more thoughts to this writing, but wanted to at least put something down as a memorial.
I’ve enabled comments so visitors can add their own thoughts and memories here if they desire.
Greg Johnson [Website]
Comments by Lisa York (12 Sep 2020)
Hello Greg,
I just saw your writing on Michael Balch, probably from several years ago. I knew Michael back in the late 70s in Iowa City and his musician friend Ric Weber. Michael was truly a wonderful person and I would like to thank you for having that tribute up on the internet. I was sad to see that he had died before I ever got in contact to just say hello again. He would have been 80 as I write this note.
I also knew his father very well, Jack, almost better than I knew Michael. Jack was quite a character and a brilliant man in his own right. I used to have coffee with him at the old “Hamburg Inn!” He introduced “Edith Piaf” to American television back in the 50s! Michael and Jack used to have me over for dinner occasionally and would teach me about their faith.
They were very-very special people! Thank you for writing about Michael.
Sincerely,
Lisa York
Student Comments
Here are selected student comments about Michael:
- “Zekher tzadik levarecha, may the memory of the righteous be a blessing.” 1/29/08
- “My favorite professor at the University. A brilliant man that really helped me, especially when I was having trouble.” 5/2/05
- “Brilliant, open to other points of view.” 9/8/04
- “If you go to class, take notes, and most importantly do and understand the homework, you will do well. If you get wasted the night before and spend the class staring at the ceiling of W10, however, you will do bad.” 4/25/03
- “If you have a genuine interest in the course being offered, taking a small class with Dr. Blach is extremely rewarding. His teaching style is a little terse, but this aids in clarity.” 3/31/03
PAGE HISTORY. This page was created on 30 Jan 2008. It was updated on 13 Sep 2020 to include comments from Lisa York, and remove a links section that was outdated. A section was added to the top with memorial newspaper clippings. The page was also updated to the current WordPress Block layout design.
Gregory, I am so glad you left this open to comments. I am very sad to learn that he is gone.
Michael was my first advisor when I was a grad student at the University of Iowa in the early ’80’s and I took math Econ from him. He was an intensely dedicated teacher, and I credit him with much of my success at finally mastering mathematical economics. I remember going into his office one day and seeing an elaborate plan for the next lecture sketched out on his chalkboard – well above the call of duty, but teaching was his passion. He was an inspiration to me later when I in turn became a teacher.
I have two memories I want to share. The first was him as my advisor. I was wondering what courses to take in my second year, and dubious about taking his recommendation of more straight math instead of economics. I asked “Why?” He, who was generally so mild, pounded his fist on the desk and said “Because it will give you power!” He was so right.
The second memory was from my course with him. It was an evening course, and one of the lectures coincided with the last episode of MASH in real time. I pondered that, but I so loved the series, and I finally decided I was going to skip class to watch the episode. But I felt so guilty, I had to tell him. So I went to his office and said I was going to miss class that night, looking down at my feet. He asked why, I told him, and then he admitted he was also missing class. Incredulous and relieved, I said “oh, are you watching MASH, too?” But no, it was a Jewish holiday. The thing that made that interesting is I could see him doing the calculation In his mind – and he decided that our excuses were equally legitimate.
I will always remember Michael. He was a kind man, a generous spirit, a passionate teacher, and an inspiration.