John L Dworak III

John Leopold Dworak III, 56, passed away peacefully at home in Mill Valley, California, on April 10, 2025, with his beloved wife and children by his side.

He was born on February 23, 1969, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He spent his formative years attending schools on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and in Cali, Colombia-experiences that instilled in him an appreciation for diverse cultures and a lifelong love of nature. He graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1987.

John pursued higher education with characteristic focus and determination. He earned a bachelor's degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. He began his career as a materials engineer at Dow Chemical in Texas, where he took particular pride in his work developing alternate source turbine blades. Though he would later transition into finance, John always considered himself an engineer at heart-analytical, precise, and deeply curious about how things worked.

A few years later, John moved to California to pursue an MBA from Sonoma State University. After earning his master's degree, he embarked on a successful second career in finance. He served as an analyst for a boutique hedge fund before becoming treasurer at Redwood Trust, where he led financial forecasting and asset/liability management. His career continued to flourish during his 16 years at Wells Fargo Bank, where he held senior vice president roles in mortgage and home equity pricing. Known for his integrity and leadership during challenging times-including a major merger and the financial crisis-John was deeply respected by colleagues for his unwavering support and mentorship of his team members.

In the final chapter of his career, John served as a senior vice president at City National Bank, based in Los Angeles. As Mortgage Head of Product Innovation and Growth, he played a pivotal role in launching a community lending program that expanded homeownership opportunities for individuals of modest means-a legacy that reflected both his professional acumen and personal values.

Outside of work, John found joy and meaning in the natural world. A passionate mountain biker since high school-when he bought his first Diamondback hardtail with money he had saved himself-he continued riding even while enduring serious health challenges. Mountain biking remained his favorite way to explore trails and connect with nature.

John found peace near rivers and forests while camping and fly fishing. His fascination with gems and minerals-especially opals, amethyst, and copper-reflected both scientific curiosity and aesthetic appreciation. John was an exceptionally skilled organic gardener who cultivated abundant crops of vegetables. His yard was a sanctuary filled with lovingly tended plants and beautiful flowers.

John maintained a special love of Hawaii ever since he lived there as a child, and he cherished returning to the islands with his family as often as possible to body surf, spend days at the beach, and eat meals of local fruits and fresh fish. He equally admired Lake Tahoe, and enjoyed hiking, skiing, and floating in the lake on family vacations. He held close the values that defined him: devotion to family, time spent with friends, and respect for nature.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Jeanine Flowers Dworak; their two children, Elena (23) and Sage Dworak (20); his sister Jenna Dworak Booth of San Francisco; and his father John L. Dworak II of Monument, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Hagius.

Throughout a decade marked by severe illness and its effects-including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, two double lung transplants that left him immunosuppressed, multiple surgeries, and ultimately an aggressive form of cancer-John met every challenge with extraordinary courage and grace. His strength never wavered; nor did his kindness or sense of purpose.

May John Leopold Dworak III's memory continue to inspire all who knew him-with gratitude for the integrity he lived by, the beauty he cultivated around him, and the love he gave so freely to those closest to him. A Memorial Service will be held on May 18, 2025, at 02:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tiburon, CA.

Donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in memory of John, through his tribute page: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/JohnDworak or text PFFTribute1708 to 71777.