In Memory: John Allen Saathoff, Age 84
John Allen Saathoff passed away peacefully on April 11, 2023 in St. Charles, Missouri, after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer one year ago.
John Allen Saathoff was born in Greely, CO on July 1, 1938 to his parents Rev. Gilbert Allen and Caroline Saathoff. He is survived by his daughters; Jenna (Gary) Waldhoff and Andrea (Benedict) Dughoff; his granddaughter Alexandrea Dughoff; his siblings Karen Walter, Dan Saathoff, Gretchen Saathoff, Marilyn Saathoff, and Marlene Saathoff; and step-mother Mary Saathoff.
John grew up in Burlington, Iowa becoming an accomplished French horn player at Burlington High School (class of 1956). He went on to study Electrical and Mechanical engineering at Iowa State University, followed by an MBA from the University of Chicago. John and his wife, Shirley, moved to Brussels, Belgium where John studied at the University of Louvain and worked at ITT Europe. Over those ten years, John started a family, became fluent in French and a wine connoisseur, and travelled Europe.
In 1980, John and family moved back to the states where they lived in Rye, New York for 5 years, and John worked for Revlon as the Director of Materials Management. While living in New York, John completed four marathons with his personal best of 3:07 in the NYC marathon.
In 1985 the family made another big move to Indialantic, FL where John would spend the next 20 years working as Director of Manufacturing at Harris Corporation managing global semiconductor operations. After retiring from Harris, John split his time between Silverthorne, Colorado and Florida. He participated in the Summit Concert Band during the Colorado summer months and the Melbourne Municipal Band during the Florida winter months, leading the French horn sections. John became involved with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) advocating for policy change to reduce carbon emissions. He also volunteered his time to help advocate for voting rights for marginalized populations.
John lived his life to the fullest with a love for travel, tennis, running, snow skiing, photography, music concerts, Marlins baseball, breweries, fine wines and cigars. He modeled hard work, a pragmatic approach to life, a dry sense of humor, and appreciation for family. John came from a generation of stoicism and fierce independence where he never complained and often expressed his gratitude. He left this planet a better place, and his memory will live on in his daughters; Jenna and Andrea and granddaughter, Alexandrea. John requested that there be no memorial service.
To honor John please consider donating to the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) in his remembrance.
