John David Senger

CARMEL?VALLEY, CA – John Senger was born in Dixon, Illinois and raised in the small town of Franklin Grove, Illinois. He was a proud member of the Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout while still in high school.
John attended the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, where he earned a B.S. in Management, an MBA in Economics and a PhD in Business Administration. He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
John was fascinated by flight, obtaining his pilot's license in his early 20s. Every time a plane flew over his house, he ran outside to identify it. He was also a casual birder and enjoyed watching birds outside his window, identifying many of them and teaching his children to love birds.
Mr. Senger moved to Carmel Valley in 1957 with his young family after accepting a professorship at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He loved teaching his eager students, whom he lectured in psychology, management and economics. He authored the textbook Individuals, Groups and the Organization (Winthrop Publishers, Inc. 1980) which was written in his highly readable, anecdotal style. His book still resonates today. John retired in 1984, after 25 years of teaching.
Upon his retirement, John Senger took up ballooning. He also reawakened his inner artist, taking several classes at Monterey Peninsula College. He had a special aptitude for sketching people and birds.
John traveled extensively, venturing to Europe, Asia, South and Central America. Always the adventurer, he took a river boat down the Amazon, climbed to Machu Pichu, visited the Soviet Union and, most recently, China.
John was in his element around groups of people. He enjoyed finding the shyest person in the room, approaching them and making them feel comfortable.
John passed away peacefully on July 19, 2014, after a brief illness. He is survived by his daughters, Sara Senger and Susan Bowyer; his grandchildren, Emily Bowyer and Luke Bowyer; his long time companion, Doris Senger and her children, Konrad Schuler and Miles Schuler.