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John Reibsamen
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John Charles Reibsamen, 76, of Elmhurst, IL, passed away April 28, 2021. John was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents Bur and Olive (Jondall) Reibsamen. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Margaret (Grabinski). Consummate father of Charlie Reibsamen and Jim (Claudia) Brandenborg. Proud grandfather of Gwyneth and Alexus Brandenborg. Cherished brother of Terry (John) Norris, of Dallas, TX and brother-in-law to Teri Novak, Billy (Tami) Grabinski, and Jerry Grabinski. Beloved uncle to Bo, Jeff, and Julie Norris; David, Daniel, Gina, Tanner, and Emily Grabinski; Andi (Novak) Basel, and Dan, Lex, and Jeff Novak.
John taught passionately as a Professor in the Social Sciences department at Triton College in River Grove, IL, for over 30 years. Famous for rewriting his course syllabi to reflect new research, he never tired of discussing life’s big questions with his students– particularly in his favorite courses, Cultural Anthropology and Child Development.
After his retirement, John continued to adjunct at Triton and maintained a booth at a local antique mall. John was a friend to many including his neighbors, fellow antique mall dealers, golfing buddies and high school classmates “the Bobcats.”
John was a decent and pragmatic man that navigated life with so few conflicts. He strived to be an example for his family and gave endlessly with his time, nurturing his sons’ pursuits. In his work and hobbies, he was organized, thorough, and professional.
John was a deeply sensitive man who pained himself not to burden others with his troubles or shortcomings. Despite his wisdom and natural intelligence, he showed great restraint not to meddle in others’ affairs. If called upon, he seemed perpetually ready to assist or lead with measured grace and fortitude.
John led a comfortable lifestyle in retirement all the way up to a sudden hospitalization less than two days before he passed. He was blessed to suffer for a very short time.
A private family gathering was held shortly after his passing. Due to health concerns related to the pandemic, public services were delayed. Please join us for a casual attire, open house-style celebration of life at Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst, IL on Sunday, October 3rd from 12:00-8:00 p.m. There will be opportunities to eulogize John throughout the day as well as a remembrance book to record and share memories and well wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in John’s name to Doctors Without Borders. Arrangements have been entrusted to Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL.
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John & several of the classmates had met several different years to play golf in Marshalltown & elsewhere in Iowa. John's last visit was in 2019 when they played golf at the Country Club. He will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family.
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David Austin
It took me a long time to comment here, but it seems appropiate to do so. The photo above (proobably taken by Tom Kurth) says a lot about Johnny and how we all stuck together through the years. He was the organizer of all of our get togethers and golf outings. It was JR who brought us back to Marshalltown to refresh our lives and to relive the glory years in the old hometown. John was an avid golfer and continued playing through out his life. So most of the time when we hooked up there was golf involved. Besides trips to M'town we had several outings to the west both in Arizona (where Mike Gantt hosted) or to Palm Springs (Gaz hosted). But it wasn't just these times I was happy JR was still in my life. He also was an avid correpondent through email and phone calls. He would often delight us with various quizzes usually about Marshalltown or Iowa history or maybe sports. Being a life long educator my guess is he just liked writing tests. We would argue about the answers and it was his memories that usually prevailed. For example one quiz was to rank the small towns in Marshall county on how far away the were from the court house. Of course he listed towns not in Marshall Co. to trip you up.
Stan Hustad
Thank you Dave for your nice tribute to John. I also want to commend you guys because today very few of us are fortunate enough or intentional enough to try and keep in touch with the men and women of our high school days that we learned with when we were girls and boys. These reminders of our own mortality are always a little bit jarring. But I appreciate you using that as a time for good memories, a fond tribute,and for Thanksgiving.
Gentle blessings to the bunch of you good friends, good for you and may it go well for you and your families.
Stan Hustad
Rex Lowe
Well said David. JR Would agree. Keep busy living everyone!
Richard Stanley
John's passing is not an easy one to acknowledge, let alone accept. He was one of the most thoughtful, empathic, and caring souls I have ever known. He was so keen to read accurately the "other" and nourish enthusiastic , affectionate friendships as Dave Austin so eloquently wrote of John.
I recently finished an autobiography of the late Oliver Sacks, M.D. who knew of his own impending death and had a chance to do a perceptive and grateful summing up of what he believed was the well-lived life. Something tells me that John would have subscribed fully to these feelings and thoughts:
"... There will be no one like us when we are gone, but then there is no one like anyone else, ever. When people die, they cannot be replaced. They leave holes that cannot be filled, for it is the fate — the genetic and neural fate — of every human being to be a unique individual, to find his own path, to live his own life, to die his own death...."
"… But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return…. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
― Oliver Sacks, Gratitude
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Rich Stanley
June 12, 2021