Donald T. Botsford

August 2, 2011

My life at The Gym began when I turned thirteen. I was a gym regular until I left for the military at the age of twenty-three. Don was thirty when we met and he was the first adult that insisted that I call him by his first name. He was wearing white tennis shoes, white pants, and a white Gymkhana tee-shirt. It was years before I saw him dressed differently. I could write for hours about Don and what a unique visionary he was, but the overriding memory of Don...

Around 1964 and '65 my sister and i would take the bus across town to the Gymkhana, meet our friend Harriett and be greeted by a big smile from Don. He patiently taught us the trampoline and space ball and we had a blast. This was a big part of our life and I'm grateful to Don and remember him with fondness. Kay Bradley Cartford

On July 9, the sun shown on a wonderful memorial gathering for Don. People gathered in the woods. Folks shared memories of Don that, together, told the story of how he influenced many, many lives for the better. Some messages were read aloud from those who couldn't attend in person. Afterward everyone went back up the hill for a bountiful potluck lunch and kids of all ages bounced on the trampolines. Don would have loved it!

Although I saw Don in person many times during the years I was active in the Ann Arbor Track Club, he was always an Ann Arbor Mythical Person. "Did you hear about Botsord's new place?" or "Oh, yeah. I went to that thing Botsford had and it was great!" or "Well, Botsford told me that in the first Dexter-Ann Arbor run..." I always heard the mythology from trusted and reliable people, so I never doubted the veracity. And, as we do with AAMP, I assumed he'd be around for decades so going to...

What A great Loss I hope his Nature Preserve contures after his passing. I went to many an event and enjoyed the land while he was alive. You will be missed Don.

What a wonderful man. His spirit will always be with us.

I will miss and love you grandpa!! I always loved coming to the woods and gym. glad I got to learn space ball along the way :) I remember the couple u of m womens basketball games you took me to, I still have the pom poms from them. I was around 10 years old. Now I am 21, and the last few things Grandpa asked me before he passed was "where'd you get your good looks from" I laughed and said, well maybe you, or your beautiful daughter. Made me smile when he said that. I'll miss his knowledge on...

Don was a joy to be around. I played softball with him, joined him at Gymkhana and talked nature and health & fitness many times. He was always willing to share and give back to the community. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him!