Joan M. Birch

Joan Birch was incredible in every Way

When I first met Joan Birch, she was a professor in the German Department with so many attributes. She had been a strong student, a New York tennis champion, had bright blue eyes and wore a braid down her back. She was formidable in her German loden jacket and her hiking boots. It was hard to look away. She didn´t miss a trick and you knew better than to try. I will never forget her.

Joan Birch, ich kannte sie zwischen 1970-1972 als meine Professorin. Ich habe zwei oder drei Kurse bei ihr an der University of Montana studiert. Sie war eine harte, aber ausgezeichnete Lehrerin. Als Studentin und mit jedem Kurs, wuchs mein Respekt und meine Bewunderung für sie. Ich habe so viel von ihr gelernt. Heute bin ich traurig darüber daß she nicht mehr bei uns ist. Ruhe in Frieden, Frau Birch.

I will never forget driving around with Joan in her truck with the doggy by her side , showing me the Missoula area and telling me about native birds and wildlife during my early years in Missoula. We had fun together and enjoyed playing around with the (German) language. Bob and I will keep her in our hearts forever and wish we could have kept up the contact with her. Tina and Bob Friends

Joan was a long-term colleague and a friend. She was an animal lover and wrote a beautiful moving letter upon the death of her little dog which I still own. When my first dog died, some 30 years ago, she accompanied me every step of the way and was of immense help. She loved the piano, having had a mother who was a concert pianist. Her life was an example of generosity and openness with great tolerance for the good and the bad that assaults all of us. She was more appreciated by her...

Joan was a very special lady. Rhodes scholar as well, and she loved playing her piano. Rest in peace Joan. You will always be in my