John A. Nietupski, 58, a wonderful person, loving husband, father, and friend, died Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa. While all lives end too early, John filled every minute of his life by bringing laughter and joy to all the people he touched with his smile and positive attitude.
He is survived by his two best friends, the love of his life, wife Sue Hamre-Nietupski, and son Chris Nietupski, who both will continue on his personal mission of enriching their lives and those of others around them with the passion and spirit of positive thinking while living each day to its utmost potential.
John was born March 10, 1950, in Madison, Wisconsin, or as he described it, "in the shadows of Camp Randall Stadium." His career as a Badger began as a young boy, selling Cokes in the stadium on game days. His love for Wisconsin athletics was superseded only by his love for family, friends, and a career dedicated to helping others in the fields of education and special education. He combined passions for his career and for sports by attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he obtained a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and ultimately a doctorate in education in 1978.
Along with Sue, John's early career included positions as a professor of special education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Northern Iowa (where Chris would attend and become a lifelong Panther fan) and later as a visiting professor at the University of Iowa.
Since 1997, John worked with Grant Wood Area Education Agency as a grant writer and resource development specialist, with the goal of obtaining state and national funding for education projects for Iowa school districts. Through his work at GWAEA, John was able to create and fund a program near and dear to him, Career Connections. The U. S. Department of Education-funded transition program began in 2001 in six school districts, with the mission of assisting young people with disabilities in their efforts to find jobs of interest to them and become successful in the community upon high school graduation. Now in twenty-seven school districts and helping more than seventy students each year, the program has flourished, with a dedicated staff of nine truly amazing people who mirror John's passion of serving these young adults.
John received numerous awards and recognition for his service to the field of special education throughout his career, most notably when he and Sue were given the ARC of Iowa and the ARC of the United States Educator of the Year awards. But to John, his proudest "award" was the distinction bestowed on him by the Career Connections staff, "Dr. Fun." The nickname enveloped both his passion for his career and also an uncanny ability to remember that even when there is work to be done, it doesn't mean you can't find a way to always enjoy what you do.
When away from work, John loved travel and sports. His love for travel took him and Sue across Europe and the U.S. (every state except South Carolina!) including countless visits to the shores of Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin. Furthermore, it goes without saying that his love for sports brought much joy (and at times, the "agony of defeat") and a special bond with Chris. Those who knew John well would agree that his true hobby was simply being a "people person." Whether to offer advice, take an interest in your passion, or simply to have someone there to watch the big game with, John loved to be around people. And people loved him.
John was preceded in deal by his mother, Sarah (Fodera) Nietupski; father, Stanley Nietupski; maternal grandparents, Giovani and Rosa (Bonfiglio) Fodera, immigrants from Sicily whom John adored and who helped raise him; paternal grandparents, Anton and Anna (Lomasz), immigrants from Poland and Lithuania; uncles Alex and John; aunt, Ann Nietupski; and beloved father- and mother-in law, Wilmer and Mary (Stanke) Hamre.
In addition to Sue and Chris, John is survived by loving aunt Bernice Nietupski; sister, Rosann Nietupski; cousins, Mary Jo Nietupski (husband Rick Tritz and daughter Bridgette Tritz) and Paula Post (husband Dennis and sons Jacob and Izak). John was also blessed with countless loving friends.
A gathering for family and friends will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 23, 2008, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. At 5 p.m., all guests are invited to stay and share the memories and stories as we celebrate John's life.
A memorial fund has established in John's memory. Funeral services and burial will be held at a later date in John's beloved state of Wisconsin in Janesville.
Copyright Cedar Rapids Gazette, November 22, 2008.