Birth date: Jun 12, 1925 Death date: Dec 17, 2008
John De Haan, 83, of Lansing, KS formerly of Clinton, passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 17, 2008. John was born June 12, 1925 to Louis and Stella De Haan in the northwest Iowa community of Newkirk. In 1951, he married B Read Obituary
Thank you, John, for your wonderful life. You were and are an inspiration to many. You taught a love for music and for life that I will never forget.
John is a legend - my mother was in his first choir at CHS and my brother sisters and I were also fortunate to have been blessed by his instruction.
John taught us all through his love of music and I can't think of a period in my life where much time has gone by without recalling the good memories of choir days.
He gave us a gift that will last a lifetime.
May the great John DeHaan rest in peace. What a wonderful man with a tremendous talent, gift, passion and knowledge of music that he so graciously and lovingly passed on to his students. He was such a hard worker, and made his students work hard as well, but there was no greater noise than when he would burst into laughter and smile with joy and pride. This man has left behind thousands of students touched by his brilliance and a legacy that will always be remembered. One thing that always amazed me was every time he saw me (long after I was his student), he always called me by name. I don't think there was a student he had whose name he couldn't recall. May it warm his family's hearts to know he touched so many lives. John sang like an angel here and earth and now sings with the angels in heaven.
To Mr. DeHaan's sons and relation I offer my sympathy to your and yours for the loss of a wonderful individual and a former music teacher that brought me and others greatness. I had the honor of singing with the reknowned CHS Choir my sophmore, junior, and senior year from 1971 to 1974. Looking back on my involvement, I find great pride in my successes with the CHS music program under his direction and the many extra-curricular activities (All-State, musicals, Large Group Contest, Solo Contests) while working with this great man and music teacher. He did so much to bring music to the Clinton County area, but his touch upon this art was found even in the state and national level, I am confident. Even after my graduation, I went on to experience valuable experiences due to the training Mr. DeHaan provided me with during my high school years. He will be remembered by many people for he did so much, during his life on earth, to touch so many life spaces in such a positive way. Some people strive to be successful, but John DeHaan strove to be significant which, in my opinion, is far more important in life. His surviving family can look back with pride on the many accomplishments and the significance this great man brought to so many. He will truly be remembered my so many people up to the time they pass, too, for a treasure is always missed. My sympathy to your family, but know how thankful I am to have had John DeHaan as my vocal director. Sincerely, Bill Dawson, Class of 1974
Mr. DeHaan was a gem of a teacher. He was always able to pull the best out of his students. I have fond memories of walking with him home and his wife having hot chocolate waiting for us.
I was blessed to have John DeHaan in my life and in the life of my children. In addition I student-taught High School Choir under him. He was a mentor and a friend. He later asked me to teach along side him and I was honored. He inspired me to become a better teacher and brought the gift of music to all who knew him or knew of him.
Moving from a large city to Clinton and discovering the wealth of music education available to our children was incredible.
God has another Bass for his choir and we surely will miss him.
So many memories from my high school experience are related to my participation in Choir with Mr. DeHaan. I still catch myself singing familiar songs from my choir days and have never forgotten the lessons he taught. I will be keeping the family in thoughts and prayers.
More than music, John showed his students no matter their talent, they can all contribute to something bigger than themselves; he showed us how to live right.
Thank you, John.
John was like a father to me as I struggled through my teenage and young adult years. He taught me much more about "being a man" than he ever taught me about music; and, trust me, he taught me an awful lot about music. I wrote him a letter in the mid to late '90's, when his health was poor, telling him about the positive impact he had on my life.
To Larry and Bob,
The Bible teaches that God heaps blessings on a thousand generations of the decendents of those who love Him. I know your father loved Him. May those blessings be yours. Thank you for sharing your dad with me.
Dear DeHaan Family,
I send you my heartfelt sympathy. John was a magnanimous leader and a (grand)father figure to so many of us in our high school years. He nurtured the gift of music and creativity in me, my siblings, and my friends. We still carry his energy and memory with us in our lives every time we sing, every time we create something beautiful. I am a better singer and a better person for having known John.
There are so many memories from the choir and musicals of John to share: the end of year choir parties where he provided the healthy lunch of Heinz donuts and KFC; the trip to Washington DC and him having us get out of the bus before sunrise to see the White House in the dark frigit winter morning; the sight of him on his bike riding around town; the love he had for Betty and the witness of love they gave to us students; the time one of the students left behind a some clothes (namely underwear) behind in a hotel room on a choir trip and after no one claimed them John hung them on the bus' windshield wipers; the Bishop's restaurants that we always stopped at on choir trips; his uncompromising belief and realization that we kids could perform extremely difficult and beautiful music; his sense of humor in choir lessons (one time a student passed gas and John played the matching pitch on the piane and responded "In key" and then continued with the lesson; him tuning my mom's piano.
I will always remember him conducting us in his favorite choir song "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and at the Washington Cathedral directing "Pater Noster."
I am still singing and performing in my life, thanks in large part to the seeds of vocal music that John nurtured in me. I can not make it back to Iowa for the funeral, as I will be performing here in Los Angeles in concerts with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. As we sing our beautiful holiday songs this weekend, especially "Still, Still, Still," I will be remembering Mr. DeHaan and dedicating my performances to him.
Much peace to all of you.
