John Martin Voss passed away August 10th, 2016 at his beloved Caples Lake Resort near Kirkwood, CA after a brief but courageous battle with gastric cancer. John is survived by his sister Ellie Lindstedt, and his 4 sons: John, Rob, Joe and Mike. John was born January 5th, 1939 in St Louis, MO to German immigrants Otto and Rosalie Voss. John attended Country Day School in St. Louis before moving on to college at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering. John fell in love with and married fellow Cornell student Grace McConnell Abbott in 1959. In 1963 John took an engineering job at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), where he worked until 1978. John moved with the entire family to Switzerland for two years in 1966 while he worked at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). While at SLAC, John was a key engineer on the SPEAR (Stanford Positron-Electron Asymmetric Ring), which led to the discovery of the "psi" particle and earned lead physicist Burton Richter a Nobel prize for physics in 1976. In the 1970's John was very involved with AYSO soccer and enjoyed taking his sons backpacking in the high Sierra.

John transitioned to the private sector in 1978 as a manufacturing manager in the medical group at Varian Associates where he worked until 1982. In the fall of 1982 John made a major life changing decision and purchased Caples Lake Resort near Kirkwood, California where he worked and resided on and off for the next 34 years. John also went back to work for SLAC in 1982, consulting on various collider projects until his official retirement in 1995. But John's main passion and focus from 1982 on was Caples Lake Resort, which provided an important outlet and focus for John's legendary energy, drive, and engineering creativity. Along with countless guests who came to love and admire John, the resort also provided a unique environment and opportunity for his sons and many other employees over the years to enjoy the incredible hiking, biking, and skiing in the area.

"Papa John" derived tremendous joy from his 8 grandchildren, whether it was riding on the snow-cat at Caples Lake or skiing together at Kirkwood. In his spare time John enjoyed sailing on his boat in the San Francisco Bay and flying his plane down to Baja to spend time at his beach palapa.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of John's life at 2 PM on October 1 at Red Cliffs Lodge in Kirkwood. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in John's memory can be made to the Stanford Medicine Cancer Institute.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Aug. 20 to Aug. 21, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Voss

10 Entries

April 21, 2019

John was our neighbor and my soccer coach in Ladera. Lots of fond memories of him and his family, who were generous with their time and energy.

Abby Voss

November 27, 2017

He is my Grandpa. Losing him was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I miss you so much Papa John. I love you.

Linda Fiedler

October 2, 2016

So sorry to hear about the passing of John. We have been going to Caples for 15 years. He will missed. The Fiedler Family

October 2, 2016

Ken Richardson

September 24, 2016

I was saddened yesterday to have read about Johns passing and have inform our fishing group of 17 years.As we prepare for our 18th year of coming up to Caples it will be with heavy hearts knowing John will not be there.We always had a good laugh with him about the picture of my cousin Kin with a 10.6 lb trout posted in the store but he put my name on it. We thank you John for your accommodations and friendship over the years.Theres was never a moment when John wasn't doing something, his commitment and hard work at the resort amazing. A job well done. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Voss family in this time of sorrow.Thanks for all great memories, rest in peace John. Ken Richardson, Rocklin,CA

Joshua Richardson

September 22, 2016

My father and his cousin, used to fish Silver Lake as kids. In 1998 they started the tradition with my cousin and I. At the time I was ten and we are now heading up for our 18th year this October. John is a piece of all of our lives and helped cement a family tradition while keeping an irreplacable nostalgia about the place. I only wish I was able to know him better. We thank you John for always being so accomodating and generous throughout the years. I will not be able to attend the celebration, but all of our thoughts and wishes are with the Voss family and Caples will not be the same without you this year John. Thank you for all of the great childhood memories. - Richardson & Robles Crew

Ken Richardson and Kin Robles

Kin Robles

September 22, 2016

I met John 17 years ago when my cousin and I started the tradition of an October fishing trip to Caples with our two young boys. Over the years we got to know John and became part of the family of regulars. He always took good care of us as our numbers grew. We'd marvel at his innovations around the resort. Now I understand why he was so good. What an amazing background.

We knew he was having tests last Fall for something we assumed to be a cancer but had no idea until reading the NorCal Fishing Report of his passing. John will be missed as he was Caples Lake Resort. When we arrive in two weeks for our annual stay it just won't be the same. No vice grip handshake and dry humor to welcome us aboard.

Thank you John for so many years of hospitality and great memories that will be passed on to our grandkids and great grandkids. Rest in Peace.

Louise

September 16, 2016

I first met John when he came to see Caples Lake Resort as a prospective buyer in 1982. I was working for the Kinsers, the previous owners, at the time. When he became the new owner, he asked me to stay on, which I did for 2 years. I really enjoyed working with him. He was a fair, honest, and generous boss who made you feel like family. We stayed in contact through the years and I visited him at Caples Lake as often as I could. I will miss his great smile and his sometimes mischievous ways. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make his Celebration of Life service on October 1 as I will be out of state. My thoughts and deepest condolences to this family and all who loved him.

Lou

Colleen Mckeage

September 7, 2016

John changed my life and taught me to love hiking and backpacking. He is in my heart and will always be. He will be missed.

Neil Norton

August 21, 2016

John was an amazing man and inspiration to me, whether it was as soccer coach, boss at Caples Lake, and/or father of my closest friend, Mike, in High School. I have a lifetime of memories to choose from but it is the most recent when I stayed at one of the cabins at Caples Lake and he was so kind to my family and made me feel very special. That is a gift from a man I respected so much, he had known me for a lifetime, and those that know him, getting the nod of approval from John, felt like getting knighted because he always expected the most from you, even some punky kid (me!)that often demonstrated less than my potential. You are missed John. My condolences to the Voss Family whom I love very much.

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