John attended the University of Iowa, earning his BA degree in Economics. As a Freshman he lettered in Basketball and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. War interrupted and John joined the 449th in November 1944. He flew 30 missions as Pilot in the 719th Squadron and left Italy in June 1945. He was assigned to a B-29 to go to the South Pacific, but that was cancelled before departure.
Upon return to the US, he earned his degree in Optometry from the University of Illinois. He practiced in Shenandoah, Iowa for 58 years. John married the girl next door, Carole and they had 54 wonderful years together. They have two sons, Jim and Joe who live in Omaha, Nebraska.
John was an excellent golfer and played in many tournaments. He was a member of the Shenandoah Country Club for 70 years! At 97 he still lives in his own home in Shenandoah, Iowa as of July 2020.
Denise Meek Riegel
Santa Maria, CA
