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John Theron Kinst
1943 - 2016
John Theron Kinst
1943 - 2016
Obituary
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John Kinst Obituary
Mr. John Theron Kinst, son of the late Edward and Ethel Kittleson Kinst and older brother to David Kinst, was born April 16, 1943 in Geneva, Illinois. He attended Geneva public schools and was a graduate of Geneva High School where he played multiple sports including tennis, basketball, and football. He attended college at Illinois Wesleyan University and earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School where he took a semester “off” to enjoy the French Quarter. He continued playing basketball while in New Orleans, even making it to the final cut of an ABA team. After graduating law school, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps where he served as an officer in Vietnam.
After his honorable military discharge, he returned to Illinois working a variety of jobs. He opened his own law practice and a real estate company. Before long, he gave up the practice of law and began a lifelong career of teaching tennis to children and adults throughout the Northern Illinois area at clubs including the Geneva Golf Club and Cantigny Golf & Tennis (Wheaton). He touched numerous lives through tennis and helped many younger players progress from the junior level up through the collegiate level.
He married Josephine Shortland Kinst in 1979. John and Jo initially met when he gave her a tennis lesson at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Their marriage lovingly endured up to the date of his passing. They have one son, Matthew Kinst.
John was an active bridge player and teacher with significant ties to the bridge community. His sense of humor, kind spirit, and warm personality were loved by many. He quietly departed this life Friday, July 15, 2016 at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, Illinois where he was making the doctors and nurses laugh up to his final moments.
His life will forever be cherished by: his wife, Josephine Kinst; son, Matthew Kinst; soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Susan Valand; brother, David Kinst; nephew, Michael Kinst; nieces, Sarah and Elizabeth Kinst; and a host of other relatives, devoted friends, and bridge partners.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Tribella Grill, 1900 Mill Street, Batavia, Illinois 60510.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jane Hunstiger
January 26, 2020
I know its been awhile since Johns passing, but I just found out about it. I was telling my granddaughter about my favorite tennis coach, John, who took me into his fold every time I rolled into town. We moved a lot, but 4 times I got close enough to do his drills and team games. My last name being Hunstiger, he dubbed me HUMDINGER....I could hear him across 3 courts when I thought he wasnt watching. I now play bridge....he wouldve been a great teacher...maybe I would learn more from him. Jo and Matt, if you see this...please accept these late condolences... Im sure you miss him greatly, but are filled with great memories. From Jane (Humdinger) Hunstiger
Andrea Hale
April 11, 2017
I'm sad to see the loss of this great man. John was a patient of mine and even though he had a rough few years till the end he always stayed positive. His sense of humor and his jokes would enlighten our day eveytime he came to visit. From the looks of it seems like he was one heck of a man. I'm sure he is deeply missed.
Rod Read
October 14, 2016
Wow, not John Kinst!
I knew John for over 30 years, starting in DeKalb, IL on the tennis courts, Fox Club in Geneva and playing USTA tourneys @ Cantigny.. That friendship carried on through John giving my kids lessons at Cantigny. John was unlike anyone else from a humor perspective on the courts. My kids Noah & Bridget (nicknamed Know-It & Don't Know-It, by John) had many-many fun days on the court with John. You will be missed my friend!
Ted Cunneen
October 13, 2016
John was a classic. I remember being referred in 1994 as a guy that could take my tennis game to the next level. Some of my best memories were taking lessons at Cantigny. John made the repetition of hitting hundreds of balls a lot of fun...as a teenager. His wit, and sense of humor, were one of a kind ("racquet back, bend those knees...great job bubs!"). John was always open for business. I remember on 45 degree days, my dad would say John just called and "we're playing at Aton". While the balls hardly bounced, I still enjoyed those days. As a junior tennis player, I developed my core group of friends thru John's drills....Jimmy, Graham, Jeb...and Matt.
Jo, and Matt: my thoughts are with you. It was an honor knowing John...what a great man!
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Mike Morrice
August 4, 2016
I first was drawn to John when I heard his "Nine Absolutes of Bridge," and his opening comment, "I was tired of being cannon fodder." He took me under his wing because he said I had the big P written on my forehead - Potential. He was the best mentor ever, his harshest critique when I misbid or misplayed a hand, "Circle that board." He charged a pittance for his guidance because we had the same sense of humor. Also, we both loved K-S. Hope he's playing with all the greats of the game in Bridge Heaven. He will always have my admiration and regard. I even learned to like shaking hands left-handed.
Geoffrey Barrett
August 1, 2016
I am proud to call John Kinst a good friend. I competed against him more times than I can count and after decades of being on opposite sides, I had the distinct pleasure of his company as a partner last summer. I wish all his family the joy and laughter that John brought to all of us at a bridge table. Our entire family of players were better for knowing him.
Geoffrey S Jade Barrett, President Tournament Bridge Services
Mike Tomlianovich
July 31, 2016
John was a fine man. It was a pleasure whenever I shared a bridge table with him. My sincere condolences to his family.
Don Malone
July 31, 2016
John helped me a lot when i first started playing bridge, he was a good teacher. He called me once from Champaign IL saying - you gotta get down here to be on our knockout team so we can play in a lower bracket. We did win a knockout, even though he passed honorably after a questionable hesitation on my part when he had a legitimate bid. He always had something funny to say. I will miss him.
Leah Newell
July 31, 2016
John was always a delight when I saw him regularly at bridge tournaments for a handful of years. He always smiled and was pleasant making the bridge days brighter for me, although we were just infrequent acquaintances. He will be missed. Memories of him will help to remind me how important a smile and respect for others are simple but helpful.
Gordon Marshall
July 30, 2016
My sympathy to John's family. I have wonderful memories of John's enthusiasm for sports. And even better memories of our bridge games. "Fourth for bridge"--how often did we sing that out so we could get a game going. At lunch hour we raced to the H.S. cafeteria to reserve a table where we could play; using a deck that was missing a card. And weekends when were were back from college were so often highlighted by four of us getting together. I learned and enjoyed a lot: thanks John.
Chris Downes
July 28, 2016
I was saddened to hear of the passing of John. He was such a caring and encouraging tennis coach to my children. During their jr high years he taught my two boys early in the morning before school started (and many times before daylight) then took them somewhere for breakfast before dropping them off at school. That was caring and dedication.
He also took them to tournaments week after week and was always there for encouragement. He truly took a heartfelt interest in all his students.
His memory will be kept alive in all of us.
Condolences to his family.
Tom Peterson
July 26, 2016
John and I grew up only a couple of blocks away from each other. Many times we used to play together. I remember we used to have pick-up baseball games in the field behind the old high school on Peyton St. John loved all sports especially tennis. Once in a while, when I was back home in Geneva, I would run into John and we would always have a good chat. He will be missed for sure. Condolences to his family.
Richard Schacht
July 25, 2016
John and I and some friends used to play bridge almost every weekend on Sunday afternoon at one of our houses. After graduation, I lost track of him, but still have fun memories of our time together. My sincere condolences to you and your family. May God bless and comfort you as you grieve for your loss.
Meredith Petri-Pollack
July 22, 2016
John was my 1st official tennis coach. I believe I was in 2nd grade when my mom took me to the Geneva Golf Club for a private lesson that would reinforce my love of the game. Later as I continued to work with him throughout my grade school years, I always looked forward to his group lessons because he knew which boy I had a crush on in the group and would partner us together...it was highly motivational. He genuinely loved working with players of all ages and abilities and his joy in doing so was contagious. Later, when I went into tennis as my career, it was great to re-connect with John while he was at Cantigny. He provided me opportunities to learn and practice being a coach. He has touched so many lives across so many years. He was always nice, funny, and super encouraging. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as John's vibrant personality will most certainly be missed. He was one of a kind and the best!
Sybil Brown
July 20, 2016
John was a wonderful person and bridge teacher. Every tournament or bridge game I played with him I always learned something new. He was very generous with his advice to anyone who might need help. He had a great sense of humor. He had such a presence and I know will be missed very much! My sincere thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Kate Unterberg Kessler
July 20, 2016
Thinking of John brings me immediately to Geneva Golf Club tennis courts with his hand over mine on the racquet saying, "Tight wrist! Keep your wrist tight, Katie!" It was his mantra. He was always upbeat, patient, kind and making you laugh.
The crazy thing is that after decades without tennis, I spontaneously took my 8 yr old daughter to play tennis Saturday morning (the morning after he died). I held her wrist just the way John did to me, and I told her about John and how he taught me that the whole game started with a tight wrist. And today I hear he passed away.
John was certainly a very positive influence and help in my life. Love to his family in such a tough time.
Jean Faeth
July 20, 2016
Having been John's student and partner was
quite a learning experence. He was an
excellent player - loving to play a difficult
3NT. His kindness and humor will be missed.
Sena Drawer
July 20, 2016
Smart, clever, funny and warm hearted are some of the words that describe John Kinst. He always made you feel that you mattered. I and my high school tennis players learned a lot about the game of tennis from him -he was an excellent strategist. I kind of think everyone loved John and he will be greatly missed.
Phyllis & Ron Fogel
July 20, 2016
We played many a bridge tournament as teamates with John and the partner of his choice. John knew everybody and everybody knew John, but God help the client who bid 3 no trump first! We will miss you John. Phyllis and Ron Fogel
July 20, 2016
Jo and Matt,
I have many fond memories of John. His kindness and love of tennis was evident to everyone from young to old. His life touched many and he will be so missed. I am grateful to have known John and work with him. His tournaments were great fun for the area juniors and my son always looked forward to seeing John. May he rest in peace.
Carlene McWilliams, ATC
Tom Girdler
July 20, 2016
A great friend and brother .. Semper Fi
Mary Fran King
July 20, 2016
John Kinst was a wonderful man who changed our family's life forever by bringing us the love of tennis and so much more. He introduced an odd humor and great fun into the game. We were talking about him today before we found out about his passing because Mary Beth heard his funny song on the radio. Some of our best memories of my children's young lives are being on the court with John at Cantigny and in Geneva. We love him dearly and miss him greatly. Love, The King Family
Nick Cordell
July 19, 2016
John always had a story to tell and a comment to add for everyone's enjoyment. He enjoyed kidding every Bridge player - against or with regardless. We, all, will miss him.
I'll say a prayer for John and St Peter.
lynne Guercio
July 19, 2016
He was a great man loved by all and will be missed. Our thoughts are with you.
Lynne and Tony Guercio
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