John Wells

When I met John back in the 1960s he was the guiding business force for DeMars & Wells, the architects of Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley. John hired me to be the firm's admin during that time, and I worked as hard as I have ever worked in my life.

John was exacting, but also supportive. I admired his formidable knowledge about building materials and codes, and the high standards he set for completing a project.

Several years ago my husband and I ran into him at Barney's on...

Before Berkeley, John built custom furniture at a small business he founded in Sacramento, not having money for college out of high school. He supported himself through school and went on to build the house on a Grizzly Peak. Like so many Americans, He was a real self-made man.