John was born 5 Apr 1921 in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois, an only child. He showed great ability in math and photography. He graduated from Rock Island High School and in 1943, from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Poweshiek, Iowa, majoring in physics.

After graduation, he went to Cal Tech to join a crew of young scientists at the Naval Ordnance Test Station in the desert at Inyokern, California. These people were commissioned by the US government to develop a camera used in reconnaissance planes. His mother, Helen, came with him and organized the scientific library at the NOTS.

While at Inyokern on 17 November 1946, John married Doris Lucile WILLIAMS in Pasadena, born 13 Jul 1923, dtr of Mr. and Mrs. John B. WILLIAMS, of Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa. She also graduated from Grinnell College.

John died of a heart attack on 13 May 1947 in Pasadena, California. A large stained glass window of David in the chapel at Grinnell College was dedicated to his memory by family and friends. There was not enough money given and the artist had not been paid. Grinnell College paid for the window.

Doris died 23 September 1988 in Shawnee Mission, Johnson, Kansas. No burial info avail. John is buried in Rock Island's Memorial Park Cemetery. They had no children.