John Robert Pray De Haven

John De Haven of Plymouth died suddenly on November 3rd in Valetta, Malta.   He was 72. John was born in 1946 to Bob and Harriet De Haven in Minneapolis.  He married Karen Mueller in 1972, and they raised two children, Katy and Bob.John treasured his family for all of his days and delighted as it grew with the addition of 2 grandchildren (Jack and Mae).  In retirement, he picked up work his sister had begun by tracing and documenting the roots of his family in our beloved United States back to the American Revolution and then overseas and into the 16th century. He was a devoted volunteer, beginning with countless early morning drives to hockey rinks and basketball gyms around Minnesota, and continuing with lengthy service positions with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, MN Crimestoppers, Destination Imagination, SAVE MN, and MN State Services for the Blind’s “Radio Talking Book”. John had a deep respect for and command of our English language.  He wielded it well and frequently in his professional life in radio, public relations, and publishing.  His affection and esteem for words was a constant and nourishing presence for him and those he knew, culminating in the recent publication of a volume of recollections from his life (“Bus to Brookhaven”).  He loved telling or hearing a good story, especially historical or family tales that brought light to the lives and simple works of those that have gone before us. His sentimental nature was always close to the surface and was at once honest and endearing.  He made no secret of his deep and abiding gratitude for what he called his happy and lucky life.  His giant personality, his genuine warmth, his perpetual good cheer, his inoperable kindness, and his easy wit will be long and oh-so-fondly remembered by the long list of people who were lucky enough to call him a colleague, a coach, an uncle, an in-law, a husband, a dad, or a friend. We are the less because he is no longer a phone call away, no longer across the room to offer a kind word or to share the good news or the bad news of our lives.  We are the less, but thank God, Heaven is the more!​John was preceded in death by his parents and the rest of their Burnham Road Gang: his three sisters Molly, Heidi, and Helen.  He is survived by his wife Karen, their children Katy and Bob (Nichole), and grandchildren Jack and Mae…his “Grands” as he called them.​A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, November 16th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis.  Friends may call one hour prior.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mark’s Cathedral, MN State Services for the Blind, or Twin Cities Red Cross.