Dr. Mesinger John F.

Dr. John Frederick Mesinger, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday,September 13, 2016,in Sandy Spring, Maryland, with his family beside him. He was 87. John was born to William and Thelma Mesinger in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1929 and grew up in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York. He received a B.A. at Hamilton College, a M.A. at Butler University and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Purdue University. He was an army veteran achieving the rank of sergeant working at the Pentagon in a unit developing personnel selection criteria for the Army. He then began his professional career as a psychologist in the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania school system. In 1964, he joined the faculty of the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education, retiring as a full professor after 34 years in 1998. John started the Educateur program at the University of Virginia, training teachers to work with youth with complex educational and mental health needs. He was a friend and mentor to several generations of students and junior faculty. He provided counsel and advice to the Virginia juvenile justice system and he worked to integrate both Charlottesville's public schools and the University of Virginia; he was proud to have earned a file in Hoover's FBI for his efforts.In 1954, he married the love of his life, Marguerite Rudolf, who was his friend, companion and helpmate throughout 49 years of marriage. She predeceased him in 2004; he missed her every day. John and Marge are survived their children, Karen Miller of Glenwood, Maryland and her husband, Mitchell, Stuart Mesinger of South Glens Falls, New Yorkand Brian Mesinger and Leah Barrett of Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as three grandchildren, Austin, Michael and Will.John was a true polymath. He could build or fix most anything. He was a master gardener, an orchid aficionado, and a keeper of aquariums and fish ponds. One summer he found a nest of sparrow hawks on the ground; he raised them with his kids and taught them to hunt from the glove. He enjoyed cars and rode a motorcycle until an accident caused his retirement from the sport. He was a wide and voracious reader, especially of history and current events. He was especially interested in naval affairs and made hundreds of ship models which for many years were on display in the University of Virginia's Halsey Hall. In his younger days, he hunted and he was a lifelong fisherman. John loved the woods and the outdoors, with a passion for long walks that lasted until the end of his life. He was an avid beekeeper and taught beekeeping classes in his retirement. John and Marge traveled in their later years taking trips throughout the U.S. and an island adventure most winters. He was an animal lover who kept a basement and backyard menagerie that enticed and educated all. He coached youth lacrosse and was a loyal fan and early supporter of University of VirginiaWoman's athletics. He was a communicant at St. Marks Church whose members provided him with a great deal of friendship and intellectual stimulation.John will have very little to answer for in heaven but he will be met by an army of squirrels with whom he waged ceaseless war. Fortunately, he will have his dogs, Skipper, Lady, Arwen, Ursa, Amber, Charlie, Callie and, one day, India, to chase them off.John's greatest love was his family. He took an interest in everything his children did, encouraging effort and risk and then listening to 'lessons learned'. He was never too busy to play, lend a hand or offer wise (and usually succinct) advice. He will be greatly missed.The Mesinger Family would like to thank John's friends at St. Marks who supported him in sickness and in health, the staff at The Colonnades where he lived for eight years, and the staff at Brook Grove Nursing Home where he spent his final days. Service details are pending. Memorial contributions are invited to be made to the Phi Epsilon Wellness Fellows Program at the UVA Curry School of Education or the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.