Comments on: John Curtis Board, age 89, of Helena

By: Connie Vergine

Connie Vergine — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:06:45 +0000

To the family of John and Mait,
I am just seeing this. It is with a sense of both loss and sadness to see that John has also passed. They were two of my favorites as patients of South Hills Dental, and I saw them both regularly for their dental hygiene visits. They were both delightful, entertaining, and ALWAYS brightened my day! Intelligent, witty, and even educational! Rest in peace Mait and John. My condolences to the family!
Connie Vergine

By: Lou Sciuchetti

Lou Sciuchetti — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:30:00 +0000

A life well lived. Both my brother and myself had Mr Board as a teacher. He liked me and survived my brother, lol.
Met his son and daughter-in-law on a ship in Hawaii. Wonderful conversation about a great man. Rest in peace.

By: Melanie Kirkaldie

Melanie Kirkaldie — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:29:42 +0000

I was searching for another obit when I came across this one. In 72′ I moved from CA to MT. When I enrolled at CMR and the subject was Mid-Evil History I thought I was sunk. Nope, I ran across the very best teacher a person could ever have. Mr. Board made this class so interesting, and I was mesmerized into learning all I could about all history for the rest of my life. I called CMR once asking if they knew where Mr. Board was as I’d like to send a card to thank him. The girl I spoke with didn’t know, so I never could get my card to him. I know he has a special place in heaven; because of the young lives he impacted. Thank you Mr. Board for everything.

By: David and Marie Hartman

David and Marie Hartman — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:43:45 +0000

Farewell dear friend. With you and Mait, we worked together, played together, and stayed together. A friendship to treasure..

By: Libby Goldes

Libby Goldes — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:39:35 +0000

During my time as a trustee on the Helena ‘School Board, Mr. Board reached out to me to offer support and encouragement. From the memories others have shared here it is clear that I was not alone in this. While our interactions were few, they made an indelible impact on me and underscore the value of human connection and concern. My condolences to his family. I hope the many fond memories of John will give you comfort.

By: C.J. (Carol) Lassila

C.J. (Carol) Lassila — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:40:25 +0000

I was one of Mr. Board’s students at East Junior High School in Great Falls. So that means he was one of my teachers in 1965 or 1966. I say that because other than seeing him around East JSH and then perhaps around town in Great Falls – the next time I talked with him was a surprising many, many years later – around 2006 in Helena. I was visiting my mother-in-law’s brother in a hospital room at St Peters when in walks Mr. Board, visiting our patient in Mr. Board’s roll at the time as a hospital chaplain. So – about FORTY years would have passed since last I saw my former teacher. And get this – I recognized him right away – but amazing was that he recognized me when I talked with him and remembered me and my name without prompting. Rest in Peace, sir.

By: Dan Walker

Dan Walker — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:36:07 +0000

Kindness upon kindness. I had John for my teacher in seventh grade English at East Junior High. He was the only teacher I ever had who stopped to give two freezing seventh graders a ride to school in his VW bug. Or sit me down on grading day and treat me as an adult. “Mr. Walker what grade do you think you deserve in this class?” He took the time to get to know my brother and both of my parents. After the death of my first wife ,John showed up unannounced to comfort me and my kids. He wrote letters to my five year old daughter and my seven year old son. As well as many other phone calls and letters. I have saved many of them. He was kindness personified. I will miss his annual Christmas letter and book list.
May God be good to you John Board. All those of us who knew you and loved you will miss you. The world is a better place for you having lived.

By: Mary K Austin nee' Sigvardt

Mary K Austin nee' Sigvardt — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:24:10 +0000

John and Mait were dear, dear friends to my mother, Bertie. John gave the eulogy at her funeral; that’s how much they meant to each other. They shared a love of art, especially Montana artist Val Knight’s. One year at Art in the Park [?] John and my mom both fell in love with the same painting of Val’s. While John took another walk thru the exhibits to carefully consider purchasing it, Mom beat him to it.. She always called it “John’s painting” It was a source of shared love and joy. When Mom died, I gave the painting to John. I believe he donated it to Paris Gibson Square. I’ll remember the 3 of them laughing in our kitchen and theirs in a little house on the north side. Love to all.

By: Sandy Polishuk

Sandy Polishuk — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:52:51 +0000

What a comfort to read so many messages of love and admiration of John since I am in Oregon and only 4 years younger than he was and no longer travel. Thank you for the link to the service.
I met John at the University of Oregon in the early ’70s when we were fellow students in the Library Science program. I was able to visit John and Mait twice in Montana but not for many years. We kept up by phone, especially since he was forced to be such a homebody.
I think I was the first Jewish person John met. Shortly after Oct. 7th, John called me for book titles on Zionism and the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. We had some wonderful conversations after he read my suggestions. That sharp and active mind did not slow down with the decline of his body. I miss him so much already , knowing the calls will be no more. I am grateful for the beautiful photo of him.

By: Lisa Autio

Lisa Autio — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:27:47 +0000

I donated many of my parents’ art books to the Archie Bray Foundation library and really enjoyed meeting John when he was the library’s volunteer there. He was a good friend of my mom and dad, Lela and Rudy Autio, and they thought the world of him. He was a great appreciator of the arts. I visited him and Mait often when I made the trip to Helena. Good friend, great human being, he was so warm and comfortable to be around. Will miss you, dear friend.

By: paul edwards

paul edwards — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:02:17 +0000

If John was a “sinner”, then the whole race of humans is going to hell.

He was a fine man, a scholar, a true gentleman, a loyal and sincere friend, and an all around credit to his species.
If the world was full of men of his quality, this sick and deluded Capitalist Tyranny would not be killing people all around the world to get their resources.

Ave atque vale, John.

By: Diane Carlson Evans

Diane Carlson Evans — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:30:07 +0000

John was a scholar and a gentleman. While I didn’t know him well, like so many writing here, he was just one of those people you never forget after meeting them. I’m glad to have crossed paths with him over the years. Peace to John and peace to his family and friends.

By: Lois Lind

Lois Lind — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:56:24 +0000

Johnand I met in 4th grade and went through school together and graduated. He was a wonderful long time friend and kept in contact over the years. Was fortunate to meet his wife Mait and so sorry of her passing.
John was very kind when my husband Richard passed away. I knew Johns parents and brothers.
I will miss our phone conversations rest in peace John and Mait.

By: Marvin Strom

Marvin Strom — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:18:10 +0000

John and I were both on the GFEA and MEA. His mind was to get the best results for the teachers, which he did. We were good friends and when he moved to Helena he would call me once and awhile. He was very active and did a good job for teachers. He certainly will be missed. Thanks John.

By: Philip Howeth

Philip Howeth — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:33:16 +0000

John’s photo herein speaks to the twinkle in his eyes, Mary. Truly blessed to know John when we were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Joann and I thought so much of John, and his career and character truly spoke to how much we respected him. Inasmuch as we knew John, we didn’t, but I like to think that John was intent to move on after Mait’s passing. RIP.

By: Nancy Walters

Nancy Walters — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:50:25 +0000

What fond memories I have of Mr. Board! He was one of my favorite teachers and was part of the reason I became a teacher myself. Largely because of Mr. Board, I developed a love for the subject of English and of course, diagramming sentences. What an impact he had on me when he chose this insecure 9th grade girl to do the major portion of the readings for the annual school Christmas program. Fast forward to when I became a school administrator. I received a wonderful, encouraging congratulatory note from Mr. Board. How did he remember me? That speaks to the kind, unique, and special man that Mr. Board was. A life well lived!

By: Robin Bain Viens

Robin Bain Viens — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:28:59 +0000

Mr. Board was my favorite teacher. Ever. I wish I had done better in his class, but feel my love of history came from his influence. I’ve thought of him often through the years, and he was the one teacher I always wished I could go back to visit. I’m sure my story is multiplied by HUNDREDS of his students who felt the same. Job well done Mr. Board.

By: Terry Schutt

Terry Schutt — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:56:01 +0000

I had Mr Board for three classes, first as a seventh grader for a Friday morning study hall, where he lectured us on the proper way to sit in our desks. Had him for English, where I learned what a gerund is. I had him for history. He made me think for my self. I probably would not have gone to college if not for him. I graduated and was in the Peace Corps for 3 years. I am sure he would be shocked. RIP

By: Brian Farmer

Brian Farmer — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:10:04 +0000

i took medieval history from John C Board at CMR in Great Falls. Not a class you’d think a goofball like me would take. He made it interesting, fun and enjoyable. I will always remember him as not just a teacher but an educator and one who cared about the students and how they thought. Rest in Peace.

By: Linda and John Gonser

Linda and John Gonser — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:52:36 +0000

Always have good memories of John as a teacher and leader of our Union. May he rest in peace! So many of our great educators leaving our world. Sad times.