John died Feb. 20, 2020, at home at the age of 94. He was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis.
John left Shortridge (Indianapolis) High School during his senior year and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Based in England, he became the lead navigator for his B-17 squadron at age 19. After hostilities ended, he remained in Europe to help establish an air transportation program to revive Germany’s civilian system. When discharged in 1946, he had attained the rank of captain.
At Princeton, where his father was in the Class of 1912, John belonged to Campus, majored in English, and graduated with honors. With his degree in hand, he joined his family’s mortgage company. In 1970 he moved on to commercial real-estate appraising, which he practiced until he retired.
John was proud to be a licensed private pilot. He was also a skilled woodworker, avid golfer, and tennis player. He successfully competed in National One-Design sailboat races and greatly cherished his summers spent in Leland, Mich., a small town on upper Lake Michigan.
John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth, whom he met on a blind date in 1952; their daughter; three sons; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.