Learn sorrowfully from the network (from Karen (T.)) of another passing. John Wester was a great friend from junior and senior high days. we maintained contact after the college diaspora and when we were both living in Los Angeles after college (he doing his law degree, me finishing my tenure with corporate oil) and later through email, thinking that at one point we would cross paths. an obituary is a terse framework that little shows the life, only the social situation. I’ll add some words and, if I can find some, photos soon. Karen calls — the first time we have spoken in, what, maybe 30 years? nah, a few less than that. it is strange and nice to hear a voice that slowly stirs older memories — of those humid summer days down at the North Shore dock of what was a not very large lake in one of the first planned communities of the 1970’s, Montgomery Village. I would cycle down Brink Road from home to the Village on occasional summer days before a drivers license made more of the world available. At the dock, John, Richard, Taryn, Karen, Mark, Gary, Bruce, Sharon, and others would hang out — some of them working (boat rentals), some like myself, just hunting for summer friendship.
I think I first got to know John in Mr. Mordensky’s Earth Science class in 8th grade when I transferred back to MVJHS from Baker JHS. Mr. Mordensky (aka Stan the Man) was all of 23 years old, maybe, he was renown forever after he threw an eraser at a bunch of us who were cutting up in class — I distinctly recall it was John and myself, Gary, and Bruce. so much for becoming a geophysicist. I think John was also in my French class with lovely Miss Sears, je pense que… And in that English class, what was her name, can’t recall. We had to do a reading of Romeo and Juliet in class. then on to Gaithersburg High School. often going to John’s house after school, hanging out with his sister, Karen, and his spunky mom, always lively conversation and laughing. John was very sensitive, very smart, and a concentrated student it seems from this vantage. and actually, it is interesting to be recalling those times. how unaware I was — that I can’t answer basic questions about people that I spent plenty of time with.
driving around with my old 1966 Beetle with some of those same people stuffed into the back of the car.
and I can’t find a picture of John in my archive. he was painfully shy about his appearance. and was prone to flush brilliant red if any special public attention was paid to him.
the news of his passing revives for at least a few moments a nascent network of people who were heavily involved in each other’s lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, between 30 and 40 years ago. having conversations with some of these people, across that expanse of days seems easy but short on depth. missing the complete face-to-face of being a teen-ager in the 1970’s. no cell phones, no telecom networks. telephone, but very much fixed line. otherwise, plans were made between classes or at someone’s house after school. where do the days go?
this in the Washington Post:
John Francis Wester Jr., 47, a specialist in health-care law at the law firm of Sidley Austin in Washington who defended companies accused of Medicare fraud and abuse, died March 7 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He lived in Fairfax County.
A spokeswoman for the Fairfax County medical examiner’s office said the cause of death is pending further tests.
The son of a Navy officer, Mr. Wester was born in Oak Harbor, Wash., and graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 1976. He was a 1980 graduate of the University of Virginia and a 1986 graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles law school.
In 1987, he joined Sidley Austin as a tax-law specialist. In recent years, he held the position of counsel at the firm, a rank between associate and partner, and became a leading legal expert on durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and oxygen tanks.
He did volunteer work for the Odyssey of the Mind youth program, the Boy Scouts of America and the McKenna’s Wagon soup kitchen. At the Spina Bifida Association, he served on the board of directors and acted as its counsel.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Henne Wester, whom he married in 1985, and three children, Lauren Wester, Amy Wester and Zachary Wester, all of Fairfax County; his father, retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. John F. Wester Sr. of San Juan Cosala, Mexico; his mother, Polly Wester of Richmond; a brother, James W. Wester of Richmond; and two sisters, Robin W. Jorgensen of Malden, Mass., and Karen W. Newton of Rockville.
and this at the Spina Bifida Association web site:
The Spina Bifida Community lost a friend and advocate on Tuesday, March 7 when John F. Wester, Jr., Esq. passed away suddenly at the age of 47. John leaves behind his wife Sharon and three children Lauren, Zachary, and Amy.
John served as SBA’s legal counsel, but above all, he was a valued mentor and supporter. Doug Sorocco, SBA’s Chair, said, “John was a tremendous friend to all of us on the Board and he was an enthusiastic advocate for our Spina Bifida Community. John truly believed in what we are accomplishing and gave freely of his time, skills, and resources.”
John was counsel in the Washington, DC law firm of Sidley & Austin, LLP and his expertise in health care was invaluable to SBA. But it was John’s compassion, and especially his affection for children with spina bifida that will be best remembered.
The words of Alex Brodrick, Past Chair of the SBA Board echo our feelings of loss.
“My friends, I share with all of you the pain over the tragic loss of our dear friend and fellow Board Member John Wester. He has been a quiet warrior for our movement for years who worked behind the scenes relentlessly to help us achieve our mission of reaching and helping all who are affected by spina bifida.
“He was always available for counsel and support and assisted us in ways most will never fully understand and appreciate. We have lost an incredible advocate.
“I pray with you for his family, loved ones, and friends, and for all of us who while in pain are much richer for the life he shared with us. For the many gifts he gave to us, and for his gentle way of touching so many lives.”
The Spina Bifida Association is most grateful to his family, who requested that donations be made to SBA in lieu of flowers. A special fund is being created to benefit children as a lasting tribute to John.
Donations may be sent to SBA, 4590 MacArthur Blvd, NW, Ste. 250, Washington, DC 20007 or may be made