Oliver Hoffmann
I knew John as a colleague of my dad's when they were both working at Skidmore Sahration in the 1970's and 80's. I met him when I was about 11 or 12, and he seemed to enjoy making me laugh. That's something that never changed about him for as long as I knew him. I attended CCS (the College for Creative Studies), and during that time, he became my teacher. Most of the students found him intimidating, but I already knew him, and it was easy for me to engage him. We had to pull advice from John, but when he gave it, the work got better. I produced my best college work in his class. In more recent years, when John hosted reunions of his creative friends, he generously invited me to join them. The level of talent in his circle of friends was truly amazing, but it was his empathy for people going through tough times that I will remember the most. My dad passed away not long before John, but they both live on in my memories—and both of them make me smile.
