Reading this today was a shock. The last time I saw John was at the Naval Academy, in the Chapel. Have thought of him often and would like to know of his career and how and when he passed on. Condolances, Sandy (Hirst) May miladymay@cox.net
Sandy, I visited John at the Naval Acadmey also. I plyed soccer at West Chester. When we played the academy he and I snuck out of the facility through an escape route undera fence. He and a couple other middies had an appt. off site. We had a good time. Years later, when I was working at Cal State, Northridge, I connected with him when he was stationed in San Diego. He was a helicopter pilot, and believe his rank was Lt. Commander at the time, circa 1980. His wife was Heidi. They had no kids, but enjoyed raising dogs, don't remember what kind. He had a short beard then, and his hair was graying. We had a good visit. Shaortly after that, I moved to CO. Was shocked to hear that he passed. Does anyone know cause of death?
I was so glad to hear the info on John. I was saddened and shockedto hear of his death. He was such a loyal, considerate and caring friend. I always assumed I would see him and talk with him again sometime. George, how did you ever find that obscure wesite? So glad you did. It's one of the reasons I appreciate this website, because it allows me to connect with so many wonderful people I would otherwise never hear about or from. I don't know why I went so long just thinking about you all. I will always remember how John proved the geometry theorems differently than how the book said, but the teacher [ can't remember his name- Mc Donnough?] said it worked. Here's to someone who will be greatly missed.
Thanks to George Borton, I was able to contact Dan Elias at the San Diego Schutzhund Club (German Shepherd training) that John and his wife Heidi started. You can see a nice memorial they put together for John at the link in George's post below.
I spoke with Dan about the accident. It happened in 2007 when John and laborer went to the back of John's property with a trailer hauled by his SUV to clear burned debris and dead tress that remained from a wildfire that winter. It appears the trailer was jackknifed in the dirt road as they were navigating the hill. John and the laborer were going to unhook the trailer and move it. The laborer disconnected the trailer, John was behind it and lost his footing. The trailer rolled over him and pinned him under the axle. The laborer ran for help, but it was too late by the time anyone got there.
Sandra Hirst (McCloskey May)
Reading this today was a shock. The last time I saw John was at the Naval Academy, in the Chapel. Have thought of him often and would like to know of his career and how and when he passed on.Condolances,
Sandy (Hirst) May
miladymay@cox.net
James Robinson, III
Sandy, I visited John at the Naval Acadmey also. I plyed soccer at West Chester. When we played the academy he and I snuck out of the facility through an escape route undera fence. He and a couple other middies had an appt. off site. We had a good time. Years later, when I was working at Cal State, Northridge, I connected with him when he was stationed in San Diego. He was a helicopter pilot, and believe his rank was Lt. Commander at the time, circa 1980. His wife was Heidi. They had no kids, but enjoyed raising dogs, don't remember what kind. He had a short beard then, and his hair was graying. We had a good visit. Shaortly after that, I moved to CO. Was shocked to hear that he passed. Does anyone know cause of death?George Borton
I couldn't find anything on the cause of death, but this article says it was accidental.http://www.sandiegoschutzhund.org/johnmemorial.htm
Janice Mahnke
I was so glad to hear the info on John. I was saddened and shockedto hear of his death. He was such a loyal, considerate and caring friend. I always assumed I would see him and talk with him again sometime. George, how did you ever find that obscure wesite? So glad you did. It's one of the reasons I appreciate this website, because it allows me to connect with so many wonderful people I would otherwise never hear about or from. I don't know why I went so long just thinking about you all. I will always remember how John proved the geometry theorems differently than how the book said, but the teacher [ can't remember his name- Mc Donnough?] said it worked. Here's to someone who will be greatly missed.Janice Mahnke
James Robinson, III
Thanks to George Borton, I was able to contact Dan Elias at the San Diego Schutzhund Club (German Shepherd training) that John and his wife Heidi started. You can see a nice memorial they put together for John at the link in George's post below.
I spoke with Dan about the accident. It happened in 2007 when John and laborer went to the back of John's property with a trailer hauled by his SUV to clear burned debris and dead tress that remained from a wildfire that winter. It appears the trailer was jackknifed in the dirt road as they were navigating the hill. John and the laborer were going to unhook the trailer and move it. The laborer disconnected the trailer, John was behind it and lost his footing. The trailer rolled over him and pinned him under the axle. The laborer ran for help, but it was too late by the time anyone got there.