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John Bollinger Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Bollinger
Sponsored by A former grad student who learned far more than molecular biology from him. - Shannon Henery.
Victor Vacquier
April 28, 2021
John and I graduated from San Deigo State in 1963, both biology majors and we went to UC Berkeley for our Ph.Ds, and we both worked in the laboratory of Professor Dan Mazia. John was brilliant and was the only biology Ph.D. student who ever took Berkeley's famous Physics 125, Nuclear Physics, and of course got an A in it. We lived together the 1st semester at Berkeley and ate all our meals together. We would grocery shop one afternoon per week and food was really cheap. We could both eat for $25 per week. We had a really good time with many laughs. John helped me get through several courses because he was so much smarter than I. I am very sorry that he left us so soon, but he had the good fortune of enjoying the family he and Connie created. He was a quiet and kind soul and it was good to spend time with him.
Jo Fox
April 29, 2020
I appreciate this reminder of John and his wonderful life. He was such a good friend to have and such an interesting person. I have very fond memories of running with him, gatherings in East City Park, visits at his home, so many good times! He made an impact on my life that continues to this day. May you be resting in peace John.
Here is a picture of a mutual acquaintence, Howie Clark, taken in Berkeley around 1965 or '66.
August 13, 2014
I shared The Frog House with John and several other climbers in Berkeley. Just now found his obituary. Sorry to have missed out all these years. Condolences to John's family and friends. Gurdon "Murph"Miller
John snowshoeing Yellowstone (approx. spring 2000)
December 25, 2012
John snowshoeing Yellowstone (approx. spring 2000)
December 25, 2012
John making a snow angel in Yellowstone while snowshoeing (approx. spring 2000)
December 25, 2012
Vic Vacquier
March 23, 2012
John and I were undergrads at San Diego State, we both worked at Scripps, and we were roommates in Berkeley our first year of graduate school. We also received our PhD's from Daniel Mazia. John was a kind, gentle, wonderful person. My sympathy to Connie and the family.
lonna bollinger
August 22, 2011
August 22
Celebrating you and the blessing of your gentle friendship.
Lee Myers
May 30, 2011
John was my uncle.Over 50 years I maybe shared time with him a half a dozen times. As my mothers bother he was important to her...so he was important to me and mine.I pray he left a legacy of love and charity.To the cousins I never knew,to the aunt he left behind and the community he shared his life with..I pray he was a blessing in your lives.
Tom
May 24, 2011
I was so saddened to hear of John's passing. It's funny, I never knew John's last name despite knowing him for the past 15+ years in Bozeman, but when I read his obituary in the Boz newspaper, I knew it was him. John and I shared locker space in the MSU gym and I came to know him and appreciate him over the years, visiting with him several times each week. He was unfailingly gracious and kind hearted and had many friends in the lockerroom. I was impressed that John always signaled to new people that a swim lane was open--something few other swimmers do as we like our own lanes, but it was emblematic of John's kindness that he was welcoming to others to share in his lane.
I learned of John's family when he told me of his kayak trips with his children, where they worked, etc. I was impressed that John still had such a strong sense of wonder--still taking classes in math and genetics the past few years. He and I had many conversations about fish when I learned of his MS at Scripps from Carl Hubbs, as that is the subject I teach at MSU & we had many conversations about that. The last time I saw him was at the Hauf several months ago and I invited him over to meet a retired ichthyologist who knew Carl Hubbs from the old days. John seemed to really enjoy sharing stories about that time with him.
I have missed seeing John almost daily. He was such an interesting and kind hearted person. My condolences to his family. I am grateful to have known him.
Tom
Wendy Roberts
May 22, 2011
I first met John because we swam at the same pool on the MSU campus at lunch time. Then we realized we both had PhDs in Zoology from the same department at UC Berkeley. Then we realized we were both interested in Buddhism (John since the 1950s) and he went on to be one of the founding members of the Bozeman Zen Group. He really liked being '˜the back up guy', the guy you could always call to open up the meditation hall in the early morning, or clean up after a retreat, or help out with whatever others weren't taking care of.
John, gentle Bodhisattva spirit, we miss you dearly.
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate Bodhi svaha!
Gone into mystery!
Dave Michael
May 19, 2011
John was about the most humble guy I've ever known. I just learned of his passing a few hours ago and was stunned. He was as fit and intelligent as they come, and he always pushed himself physically and mentally. John was the kind of guy who would always direct the conversation back to you; he never wanted to talk about himself. Since he and Connie left for Boise, I thought about him every time I went to the gym and kept meaning to get his email address. My deepest sympathies Connie.
Jo Fox
May 17, 2011
John was a one-of-a-kind person. As others have said, gentle, intelligent, kind. He was a good friend and always willing to be there for his family and friends. I always admired how he would make his family a priority, and spend time with his beautiful daughters. He was a beautiful person and will be greatly missed. My heart and prayers go out to Connie and Clare and Amy for your healing in this time of grief. And to his brothers and sisters my condolences.
Dick Fluck
May 17, 2011
John was my best friend in Berkeley. I have missed him all these years. My sympathy and best wishes to Connie and his children and grandchildren.
May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011
I first met John on August 22, 1940. Another piece of my heart has gone missing.
The older sister
Michele Bollinger Myers
Nick Everhart
May 12, 2011
I knew John as a grdauate student in Berkeley in the late 60's. Words cannot express the sadness I experienced when I learned of his passing. We have not seen each other for over 30 years, but I have thought of him so often and always thought we would spend time together again. John truly touched my life. My thoughts are with Connie, the children and grandchildren.
Nick Everhart
UC Berkeley, 1970
lonna bollinger
May 9, 2011
For John a much missed husband, father, son, brother and friend.
lonna bollinger
May 7, 2011
You are a diver; your body is just clothing left at the shore. You are a fish whose way is through the water.
John Bollinger classical scholar, philosopher, naturalist, scientist, researcher, thinker, humanist, pacifist, beekeeper, gentle bemused professor, model, mentor, gentle protective friend. John possessed an abiding, earnest curiosity about the nature of the universe. He was devoted to science and study and never lost the feeling of wonder about the natural world. John was filled with gentle restless energy. He preferred outside to inside, running to walking, and bicycling to driving. Thank you for your gifts dear brother. I feel your presence in the nature you delighted in and see you in the stars you loved to sleep under.
Without a net, I catch a hawk and release it to the sky, hunting god. This wine I drink was never held in a clay jar. I love this world, even as I hear the great wind of leaving it rising. For there is a grainy taste I prefer to every idea of heaven: human friendship.
Love you dearly brother mine.
Cort Northrop
May 6, 2011
I knew John when he lived in Moscow. He anchored our five-person "Lets Climb a Mountain Day" running team. That race that began at the clock tower in downtown Spokane and ended at the top of Spokane Mountain. We were so thankful when John volunteered for that brutal, uphill leg. We followed him by car, encouraging him all the way. Our team placed third. That day stands out in my memory, and John is a big part of it. Connie, my thoughts are with you.
Bob and Robin Young
May 6, 2011
Bill and Gayla, we are sorry for your loss. He is described as a person of great intelligence and kind personality. A loving and nurturing father. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
John on July 16, 2009 at family get-together
Susan
May 4, 2011
Susan Garrison
May 4, 2011
I first met John in 1965 and he bacame my brother-in-law in 1967. I know how much he is missed.
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