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John Tetz Obituary
Roxbury Twp. - Mr. John Tetz passed away Wednesday July 9, 2020 from complications of Parkinsons. Residing for 60 years on Mark Lane in Succasunna NJ, John was well known for riding around town on his recumbent bike known as a Velomobile. He is survived by his Brother Richard Tetz, Daughter Jan McAuley and son-in-law Tim, Grandchildren Maggie and Nate McAuley, and Great Grandchildren Connor, Caleb, and Katherine McAuley. His wife of 60 years, Joan Knapp Tetz, passed away in 2016.
John was born in 1932 at the height of the Depression - he was taught to never waste a thing, and learned from an early age how to build and repair the mechanical machinery on the farm. He attended Technical school in Chicago, served in the Signal Corps during the Korean War, and became an Engineer at Bell Labs in the 1960's. He was part of several important developments, including the Telstar Satellite Project.
John had so many interests and passions over the years! He raced his Porsche with the Sports Car Club, took up photography and built his own dark room, created sculpture and jewelry out of stainless steel, and began a love affair with the letter O by creating original wall art and mobiles, all using the basic form of a circle. You can see John's artwork at the Roxbury Library where he has donated those pieces. But of course, he is best known for his crazy looking bikes and promoting Human Powered Vehicles to make our planet a better place!
Due to Covid-19 and John's wishes, there will be no services held - John would have wanted everyone to instead, follow his example and make a difference in this world!
Arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Tetz
Sponsored by Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home.
Jean
November 9, 2024
I met him when he joined his brother on a U of Oregon Outdoor Program
Selway River rafting adventure- early 1980s. Launching permits were not easily obtained. I have no photos- it was an at times scary adventure through a pristine wilderness setting. He was sure to have had a few stories to tell.
Gloria Friedman
August 21, 2020
John had his Velomobile on display at the early Rambles. Many people visited and asked him questions. He was a great man and will be missed.
Richard Sadler
August 20, 2020
I met John thru our common interest in recumbent bikes & trikes- here's a shot of him on his trike. He was a great, natural engineer- I'll miss him.
Kathleen Caccavale
August 19, 2020
I enjoyed John's mobiles when they were on display at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship and at the Morris County Library. My sympathies to the family.
Johannes Groessbrink
August 1, 2020
One more photo of John on one of his bikes he designed and build.
Johannes Groessbrink
August 1, 2020
I met John 1995 at a bicycling event in MASS.
He infected me with his enthusiasm of streamlined bicycles. In the subsequent years we met riding the different cycles he had build. I very much remember and miss the times we would visit and have long and deep conversations and an Indian dinner at the local restaurant. I fondly remember the time when John with his grandchildren and my family and I met in Interlaken Switzerland one summer many years ago. I keep John in my memory as a truly great man with enthusiasm and zest for life with whom I could share deep personal things and who was not afraid to do the same. I miss you John, have a great, peaceful, journey!
Paul John
July 19, 2020
I met John about 30 years ago through our mutual interest in recumbent bicycles. We soon became good friends and had many great times together riding, racing, socializing, and working on our bikes.
John was a man of many gifts: Thinker. Artist. Human being of great generosity and enthusiasm. Masterful creator of wonderful bikes and gadgets that always represented his philosophy of living.......elegance is found in simplicity!
Thank you John for all the great memories.
You live on in our hearts.
Dr. Lynn L. Siebert
July 15, 2020
To John's family,
I am so sorry to hear of his death. He was a rare spirit and, as a Gallery Director, I had the privilege of featuring his wonderful and unique artworks in various exhibits at the Atrium Gallery and our Gallery at 14 Maple.
We connected on multiple levels - art, the environment, acoustic music (at the Folk Project) and even the Signal Corps (my dad was in the Signal Corps during WWII). And, years ago, he generously gave me the gift of one of his beautiful O mobiles which hangs in my office even today. ( I think of him whenever it moves in the air currents..).
It was a joy to know him. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss. May you find comfort in knowing he touched many lives in positive and inspiring ways.
With sympathy,
Lynn Siebert
(Dr. Lynn L. Siebert
Director of Arts Participation & Communications
Morris Arts)
Maggie McAuley
July 14, 2020
My grandpa! He was always encouraging me to be different and try new things - even when they were a little dangerous (the bike/hill incident when I was around 9 yrs old haha!). I was always proud to say he was grandpa because he was completely different from everyone elses grandparents. The most interesting man in the world!
Diane Dellicker
July 14, 2020
Though I didn't know him personally, I remember seeing him many times through the years...riding his bikes. Sending sympathy to his family & telling you, he will be missed.
William Kelly
July 14, 2020
I rode with John with the Metropolitan Area Recumbent Society (MARS). He was a generous and kind. He was an artist.
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