JULY 2021
ALPA would like to express our deepest gratitude and acknowledge the invaluable contributions to our efforts of three of our early supporters who have recently passed away:
Jim Bosco
James J. Bosco, Sr. was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His years of schooling completed in 1965 with an Ed. D. from the University of Columbia and a faculty position in Western Michigan University’s College of Education. Jim was published extensively throughout his career at WMU. He enjoyed many honors in his academic field and ultimately retired as the department’s Director of Educational Technology. Jim spent 39 ½ years at Western before retiring in 2004. He passed away on February 18, 2021 at the age of 81.
Though Jim’s academic disciplines and his family kept him busy, he truly valued a safe and stable living environment. Jim and Sharon raised their children on an increasingly busy Rambling Road, where the cohesion of their neighborhood association became important for maintaining an enjoyable quality of life at home. Jim kept a close eye on the activities or events that would impact his local community and remained involved in the Oakland Drive / Winchell Neighborhood Association (ODWNA), which included several years on its board.
Jim became especially interested in the April 1990 proposal initiated by WMU to develop its Asylum Lake properties after he attended a panel discussion held by the neighborhood association during the fall of 1990. Western’s controversial plans for their “Research Park” ultimately called for the development of the three Asylum Lake properties to include office buildings, research facilities, and light industrial businesses. Early on, the ODWNA Board pushed to be recognized in the planning for the adjacent WMU properties and sought to ensure protection for surrounding residents from any negative impacts or incompatible land uses. The election of the neighborhood association board members followed in 1991 with Jim Bosco chosen as the organization’s president. Energized by the need to monitor the development and protect the stability of the neighborhood, Jim was immediately ready to represent the ODWNA in the numerous decisions for WMU’s Research Park scenarios.
Jim was also committed to retaining the natural features of the Asylum Lake properties, and with his dedication to the ODWNA neighborhood, he was a true advocate for both as a member of WMU’s design committee for the initial Research Park proposal (cancelled in May 1993) and again during a subsequent development proposal that was initiated by the CEO Council, Inc. (today’s Southwest Michigan First). Jim’s applied academic expertise granted him much respect throughout the Kalamazoo Community. As such, he was a true team player on the committees he served as well as a trusted liaison to our Asylum Lake Preservation Association. Furthermore, he strongly supported the coalition of organizations throughout the community during the 1990s who were voicing concerns over the development of WMU’s Asylum Lake properties.
Jim was bold, logical, and always willing to push hard for what these organizations felt was best for this sensitive area as well as the large Oakland Drive / Winchell neighborhood. His quick wit and intellectual humor made him even more special to all who worked with him, granting a level of trust and friendliness in him with those he encountered: advocates, opponents, and decision makers. In the end, however, Jim always pushed for fairness and a practical conclusion. He was never afraid to express his thoughts, and his fervent articulation always generated a constructive outcome.
Jim Bosco’s dedication to his neighborhood, the Asylum Lake Preserve, and ALPA remained long after he retired from WMU and his professional endeavors. He was always willing to advocate with our organization for the protection of the Asylum Lake area, and people would listen when he spoke. He was truly one in a million, and he was able to influence decision makers during the 1990s, bolstered by his intellect, his insistence for fairness, and the status he achieved in the community. He was a devoted supporter for the progression of WMU’s Asylum Lake property to the Preserve that it is today. (Mark Hoffman, July 2021)
Jack Welborn
Jack and his brother, Bob, were instrumental as legislators during the 1970s in identifying the Asylum Lake properties for research and as needed parkland for the community, and subsequently orchestrating their transfers from the Dept. of Mental Health to WMU. . In 1974 and 1975 Jack State Senator and his brother Bob State Representative introduce a series of bills aiming to keep AL as open space opposing its development in other ways. Despite the endless urge(s) to develop the lands, what remains today is the large tract that surrounds both lakes (big and “little” Asylum Lake) for all to enjoy. When the pressure was on to release the restricted properties in the early 1990s, it was tremendously reinforcing to work with a truly dedicated Senator Welborn and his family again to protect the land conveyances from an overwhelming development scheme. And some 46 years after the transfer of today’s Asylum Lake Preserve, countless visitors to the property can enjoy its beauty with great appreciation, while attributing this community amenity to the perseverance of Senator Jack Welborn and his brother, the Honorable Robert Welborn.
ALPA is grateful for Mr. Welborn's vision and generosity in helping the Asylum Lake property being eventually preserved as open space will be remembered for generations by all who will be able to experience nature within our city.
Pat Klein
After retiring from teaching at WMU, Pat became wholeheartedly involved in saving the Asylum Lake properties from development. She joined the grassroots movements early on became a founding member of ALPA. She remained an active board member for over 20 years and helped lead community efforts to keep the Preserve as open space, natural and viable. Always willing and able to learn and research more, she encouraged us all to work as hard as possible to challenge the powers that continued to threaten the land. ALPA is grateful for her unwavering and dedicated efforts, and will arrange to have a memorial tree planted at the Preserve later this summer or fall.
