John Raymond Sougstad

John was a colleague and friend. I've known him over the years through our work at MSU's School of Social Work. He was instrumental in creating our online school social work courses and taught many courses for us. He was a great teacher to the many students who had the privilege of being in his classes. We are deeply saddened by his loss. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I had the pleasure of working with John at JCISD for many years, calling him boss for awhile and friend for even longer. He was the most brilliant man I know. He was a wordsmith, who could outmatch anyone’s vocabulary. He had such a kind heart, was always calm during stressful situations and he had a fantastic sense of humor. John worked tirelessly to help support his colleagues and students with special needs. John will greatly be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and...

John was a colleague and friend throughout our 21+ year professional careers at Lansing School District. John was wise beyond his years. Even though John was a much younger school psychologist than me, I sought out his counsel on numerous professional and personal matters. His advice was always helpful. John had a quick wit and dry sense of humor. He possessed a host of character traits greatly admired - solid work ethic, kindness, compassion, super listener, and he always kept his cool....

I don’t know how to make sense of this tragedy any more than anyone else does, but one thing I know for sure: The world was a better place when John was in it and his death diminishes all of us.

John and I went through the MSU EdS School Psychology program together and were in the same cohort. I had the pleasure of seeing him at various professional engagements over the years and it was always so nice to catch up with him. It was inspiring to see all he did in his career and how many people he impacted in such a positive way. His warm smile and gentle presence was always a hallmark of my time with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with all who were blessed...

John was an amazing person who always had a smile and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Truly a loss to everyone who knew him, he was THE heart of his organization.

I was a school psychologist who had the privilege of working with John for many years in the Lansing School District. John was held in high esteem by all of his co-workers. His calm and gentle demeanor was so appreciated by everyone, along with his fun sense of humor. As a professional, I know John touched hundreds, if not thousands, of lives in a positive way. My sincere condolences to the family, co-workers and friends of John.