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BORN
1948
DIED
2010
John Kleinman Obituary
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Mark Bellamy
December 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2024
I studied photography and outdoor and indoor studio lighting from John.... he was a great teacher and humanitarian. He had a bizarre sense of humor, but it never seemed to offend anyone. He was loved by soooo many, students, peers, young and old.
I attended his public classes at RCC, UCR, and private classes he held at his studio for many years....
His field photography field trips were always inspirational and educational.
I know it's been several yrs since his passing, but I have lots of good memories of John, Sonny, Linda, and Arte....
I don't do much photography these days, but his teaching and inspiration in the art of photography sticks with me still today....my appreciation of what I learned from John those many yrs ago, was not lost, but still lives in my memories.
Thank you John.
- Mark Bellamy
Kirk Pfeffer
March 31, 2024
3/31/24...I knew John in the early '80s when I was a student of his at RCC...he was very real...very candid...he had an abstruse sense of humor that I relished...I just learned of his passing...I he snapped a few shots of me at RCC and also at a Kodak seminar at Raincross Square way back in 1984ish...RIP, John.
CATHY KLINKERT
February 8, 2024
I met John thru mutual friends back in 1974-79. At that time my friends lived in the Winchester-Moreno Valley area. I loved his photography and he gave a few as gifts. In 1979 I left for Alaska and didn't return except for visits. I had a lot of items stored for over 40 yrs and just came across his photos. At that time he was really busy trying to get a show together and had all his photos spread around my friend's house trying to figure out which ones he wanted to show. Asking my opinion I picked out all but a few! He just gave me smile and told me I wasn't being helpful . This is Stormy Skies Box Springs. I have a few more, desert sunsets. I was sad when I searched for him and found he had passed away. I hope that his photos are on exhibit somewhere, and being enjoyed by all. RIP
Robert Wood
June 29, 2020
So sorry to read this. Between John and my father we went through a lot of Koda Crome 25 and 64. Will truly be missed.
October 26, 2019
Boy, it has been so many years since I walked into John's class room at RCC. Not only did I meet one of the greatest and most compassionate people with a since of humor to top all others, but a person so willing to share their talents. We became friends, and shared the same friends through our photo shoots at the beach, LA, and where ever it might take us. What fun we all had learning to see the beauty of the world through the lens of a camera.
John is always in my thoughts when I put camera to eye. Thank you for being a true friend.
Rest in peace. Vicki Tresselle Riverside, CA
Mary Cacciapaglia
March 12, 2019
Can't believe it's been nine years since John left us. Miss his sense of humor and calming presence. Think of him often.
Mary Cacciapaglia
June 22, 2017
Still think of our Desert Master often. John you will always be in my heart.
Suzanne Bria (was Brown)
June 21, 2017
Something made me think of John the other day, so I decided to do a Google search for him. It hit me like a punch in the stomach to hear that he passed away. John was one of my best friends at Riverside Poly High (class of 1967) and we kept in touch periodically after that. For years I received his mysterious Christmas postcards, most of which I never got the pun therein. I will never forget you John.
donnie edison
November 29, 2010
john taught me the most of any teacher throughout my time in school we got along great i failed his advanced photo class i must say i was suprised so i went to talk to him about it and he told me to take it again that i did not try hard enough that was a lesson learned the hard way but the concept of doing your best no matter how good you think you are at something has stayed with me since and i will pass that on to my children donnie edison
charlene neal
October 9, 2010
i remember when i needed him most he was always there to protect me and lead me down the right path i will never forget you [email protected] or as he always called me char
Photo 10; John's Holloween Mask
Jon Ferry
September 29, 2010
Wow, I guess I should read the Obit's more often. I just learned of John's passing tonight doing a search for him in the Press Enterprise. I met in him in Photo 10 at RCC in 1990. He was a fantastic teacher, mentor & friend. He tought me a lot, about a lot. I shared many laughs and good times with him on photo feild trips and some of his jobs too. Had it not been for John I would have never went to Joushua Tree, Randsburg, Chinatown or Reileys Farm (for a few). I am so sad I didn't keep in touch with him after he left Magnolia Rehab. I saw him 2 or 3 times there, and another 2 or 3 times drove by & left because there was no where to park. I am sooooooo greatful to have had him in my life......... "How does the desert laugh? Yucca, yucca, yucca," John's joke.
Clay Mills
September 28, 2010
I just want to cry right now. I met John while working at casino morongo 3 years ago. We began talking about photography, and became close friends. He invited me to his home several times and showed me many tricks to taking great pictures. Every time I saw him he had a gift for me. A new lense, or a better this, or a better that. He never asked for anything in return. His health was in decline by then and every step was painful for him. Still he would go outside with me to explain this or that so that I could take beter pictures. I feel so guilty for loosing contact with him. I just googled his name hoping to contact him and found his obituary. God Bless you John. Rest in peace my friend. No more pain. Your friend Clay
Sunny Smith-Kleinman
September 17, 2010
I met John while he was teaching a ACCD in the 70's. I will never forget how kind he was to the students. He has some of the best parts of a human being, if only more people could be like him. So many stories so little time. His memory will be with me till we meet again. I loved him very much and know he contributes to the way I treat other people. I will miss him, till we met again.
Daniel Kleinman
June 12, 2010
John was a unique fellow. Great photographer, funny, outrageous on
purpose, very generous. He battled some pretty serious health problems and we are sorry we can't enjoy his wit and antics anymore. Rest in peace,
beloved cousin.
Mark LaCour
May 6, 2010
I'm saddened by the news of John's passing.
During the late 90's I took all the classes that John offered through UCR Extension. I loved the field trips so much that I organized a small group of classmates and we took turns leading photo tours to during off-quarters.
I remember the last time I saw him. It was 10/26/99. It was my wedding anniversary. I had just returned from shooting fall colors in the eastern sierra to find that I had been laid off from my day job. I dropped by John's studio with a box of the slides. He invited me to sit in on his class that evening and used some of my photos to illustrate compositional techniques to his students. I never told John that I had just lost my job, but I became a full-time photographer on that day. It has been an interesting ten years and I had spoken to John several times by phone. I googled his name an hour ago in hope of ringing him up. Sorry I missed him.
With gratitude.
Steve Umland
April 30, 2010
There are people who in your life explain, tell, mentor, coach and instruct. John did one better.
John for me was one of those rare individuals who taught by showing. He would look at a negative frown and approve. Look at a print look back at you and without a word say "is this the best you can do?" Then sign it because it was good enough. Because it was. He just made you think twice about it.
The most I learned from John was simply by him showing a current work he was doing for a magazine on knives. His lighting was superb to the extreme of perfection. John took the time to explain how he lit it challenging me to understand and say to myself how will I ever be able to compete in the real world with someone doing work like this! Truth is he taught to do just that by example.
Thank You John for making me a better Photographer!
Carin Krasner
April 30, 2010
John Kleinman brings to mind many hours in the lab my first year at ACCD - always there to help,and keep a watchful eye on us students, I can hear him fondly calling me "Kraz Kraz" and I would always refer to him as John John. When ever it was someone's birthday, John had a special song that he would sing for you. I loved it and to this day when ever it is someone's birthday I carry on the tradition of singing that song. The words are :
Hooray hooray today is your birthday, it's not for beavers, it's not for bears, it's not for pickles, it's not for pears. It's not next week nor yesterday- Hooray ___________today is your birthday..... Happy Birthday! It is a very unique song and John was a very unique, beautiful person with a heart of gold. May he rest in Peace.
Britain Hill
April 30, 2010
I remember John from Art Center College of Design where he would check our negatives, and let us progrees to printing the negative. He was a witty man and fun to spend time with even as our superior.
I was privileged to have met him, work with him, but most importantly laugh with him.
He taught us so much about the value of photography and the value of humor.
Britain Hill
Richard Ruthsatz
April 30, 2010
His heart was huge, his humor, delightfully warped. John was kind and helpful and always quick with a story or a joke, especially if it was a practical joke. I can still hear his laughter. It was loud and long and full of life. We will miss you John.
Jeff Glancz
April 30, 2010
I will never forget John. He was a scary guy for a newbie in 1st semester lab a ACCD in LA. Then he was the greatest guy you could know. So much fun and inspiration. I am so sad to learn of his passing. My warm thoughts are with you, RIP John Kleinman.
jerry fruchtman
April 29, 2010
Everyone who went thru ACCD in the early 70's has fond memories of John coming into the film lab and screaming "W H E R E ' S Y O U R A P R O N ! ! ! "
Sandi Patterson
March 24, 2010
I was an impresionable 14 year old girl when I met John. I was just a lowly sophmore & he was a SENIOR. And he was so kind to me & so much fun. He took it upon himself to show me the ropes of highschool survival. He sheparded me thru all of my angst filled teenage loves, & ultimately became one. The Valentine dance, we showed everyone that dancing didn't have to be cool, just fun. After that year, it never occurred to me that John wasn't & still isn't one of the best people I've ever had the privledge to know & love. My life is better for having known John.
john mchalffey
March 24, 2010
john was such a great person i transported him many of times we shared stories he will b greatly missed
March 22, 2010
John shared an important corner of my life, and was a kind and loving soul. I will cherish that memory. What will we do without his annual Christmas Card! Rest easy John. You were loved in oh so many ways.
Bob Schultz
March 21, 2010
I never met a man more full of life and humor than John. He inspired my photography and my life and I can still see him hanging around the Golden State Theater passing on some of his mom's incredible tamales and providing grander entertainment and humanity than whatever was on the screen.
Mary Cacciapaglia
March 19, 2010
John was a dear friend and mentor. Tony and I will miss him greatly.
March 18, 2010
I took a number of classes from John over the years and it opened up the way I view the world in wonderful ways. What an incredible gift to give and he gave it to so many people. The world was richer for having this colorful and unique man in it. I treasured his friendship. Judy Giberson
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