John S. Schachter ’86

John died Nov. 20, 2022, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a big-tobacco foe, stand-up comedian, and Mets fan.

John came to us from North Valley Regional High in New Jersey. At Princeton, he majored in politics and joined Elm Club and Triangle, where he portrayed William F. Buckley and shared the stage with Brooke Shields ’87 in a comedic dance. During his junior year, he ran for Princeton town council. He often wore a satin Mets jacket and at graduation, he brought his mitt “in case there’s a foul ball.”

John’s career encompassed journalism and politics, working in the trenches on campaigns and publications. In 2014, he joined the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, where his colleagues remember him as not only hilarious but a generous co-worker, caring mentor, and gifted strategist.

John’s wit shone brightly performing at clubs and many class events or while writing for shows like Saturday Night Live. He was a ghost writer through his firm, Funny, You Should Say That, which promised “political humor writing — speeches, jokes, quips, one-liners, roast material, and the like.” His work brightened the dull world of politics by bringing humor to the speeches of politicians like former Sen. Al Franken. 

To John’s wife, Lori Klein; son Sam; and his mother, Ann, the class extends its deepest condolences. John liked to end with the line “Hey, you’ve been a great audience; that’s my time.” As Lori said, “There will be far less mirth and joy in the world without John Schachter.”