John Omar Kangas

Kangas John Omar Kangas, 84, of Columbus, OH passed away January 24, 2015. Born in Duluth, MN to Olga and Jussi Kangas, he grew up in Cromwell and Kettle River, MN. He spoke only Finnish until entering the first grade and graduated from Moose Lake High School as valedictorian. John earned a Ph.D. in 1958 in Clinical Psychology from University of Minnesota where he was captivated by, courted, and married Millicent Ann Reece in 1952. After teaching for several years at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland, OR, the couple settled in Columbus in 1967 with their three children. John retired in 1987 from The Ohio State University, Professor Emeritus, where his last role was as Director of the Division of Clinical Psychology within the Department of Psychiatry. Home life, household projects, family memories, fishing with cousins, and folk dancing, were some of the themes of John's life. Preceded in death by his father, mother, and step-father Charles Hill. John is survived by wife, Ann; son, Jack (Liz Fannin); daughter, Nancy; son, Tom (Lea Anne); and four grandchildren, Aaron, Sam, Henry and Shoshi. A memorial service of remembrance will be held at a future date, as yet to be determined