My boss’ last day of work was Tuesday. To call her my boss seems incomplete and wrong hearted, even if it’s a perfectly apt description of our work relationship. “Boss” seems like a perfunctory, almost dirty word.

Nonetheless, Karen was my boss at work. Also a fantastic friend. She’s the friend I’ve had longest in Tucson, in fact. I don’t doubt we’ll stay in touch a great deal, but it still sucks. Together, she and I accomplished great things for the University.