John Kranz Notz

1932 - 2025

John Kranz Notz

January 5, 1932 - July 22, 2025

John Kranz Notz, Jr., a distinguished Chicago attorney, historian, and preservationist, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 93. Known for his deep civic leadership, scholarship in architectural and landscape history, and lifelong connection to Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, John led a life rooted in intellectual curiosity, public service, and love of family.

Born on January 5, 1932 in Chicago, John grew up in Winnetka, Illinois. He attended the Hubbard Woods School, the North Shore Country Day School, and Deerfield Academy and, in 1953, he graduated from Williams College. John then earned his law degree at Northwestern University and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate for three years during the late 1950s, with postings in Korea and Japan.

Upon returning to Chicago, John embarked on a nearly 40-year legal career at Gardner, Carton & Douglas, where he specialized in corporate, securities, and non-profit law. He particularly enjoyed representing architectural, engineering, and land planning firms, including as the outside general counsel for the Perkins & Will architectural firm. Among many contributions to the legal profession, John was a longtime director of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and was its board chair from 1990 to 1991.

Following his retirement from legal practice in 1996, John turned his attention to architectural and landscape history. Inspired by an essay he wrote as a member of the Literary Club of Chicago, John became an expert on Jens Jensen, the Danish-American landscape architect, and played a vital role in preserving Jensen's legacy in the Geneva Lake region. John's historical research contributed to the designation of numerous architectural landmarks and estates, including efforts to protect Horticultural Hall in Lake Geneva and convert Black Point into a Wisconsin State Historic Site. Other subjects of John's scholarship included the American architects Marion Mahony Griffin and William Le Baron Jenney, along with the historical figures Charles R. Crane and Halide Edip. John was named a Preservation Hero by the Library of American Landscape History in 2018 and received a number of awards, including: the Olmsted Landscape Conservation Award from the Geneva Lake Conservancy in 2021, an Honorary Resident Award from the Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission in 2021, and the Garden Club of America Historic Preservation Commendation Award given by the Lake Geneva Garden Club in 2022.

John was deeply engaged in his community. He served as President of the Lake Geneva Country Club, where he had been a member since the early 1960s and was instrumental in the creation of the club's centennial book. John was one of the first men on the Board of Directors of the Antiquarian Society, and he also served as President of the Graceland Cemetery Board of Trustees, as President of the Racquet Club of Chicago, as a Trustee of Beloit College, as Treasurer of the Society of Architectural Historians, and as a member of the Great Lakes Dredge and Philharmonic Society. John was well known for his hospitality and mentorship, often providing impromptu tours of historical sites and sharing boxes of Anderson's Candies from Richmond, Illinois, as tokens of appreciation.

Wisconsin held a central place in John's life, from summers in Vilas County and Fish Creek in his youth, to, beginning in the late 1960s, summers on Geneva Lake's Black Point followed by a 35-year residence in Linn Township. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the estates, topography, and social history of the region and often researched, gave presentations, or wrote essays to educate others on this rich past.

John is survived by Janis Wellin Notz, his wife of 59 years; his daughter, Jane Elinor (Jenny) Notz (Ian H. Watson); his son, John Wellin Notz (Basak Aydin Notz); and four grandchildren, Grace Chamberlin Watson, Alexandra Ruth (Sasha) Watson, Lula Poyraz Notz, and Adele Su Notz. He also leaves behind his brother, Edward Uihlein Notz (Sandra Keep Notz), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and admirers who benefited from his wisdom, generosity, and unshakable sense of history. He was predeceased by his sister, Elinor Claire Foltz (C. Robert Foltz).

A private burial will be held for family, with a memorial service planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Society of Architectural Historians, the Newberry Library, and Yerkes Observatory.