John taught my Design class when he was a grad student. He showed up at Boeing later and pretty much got to do what he thought needed doing. He designed outlandish airplanes, studied bug and bird design, and had a big influence on engineering education. He foisted off organizing a series of technical lectures on me, and I retaliated by signing him up to give some lectures. He was a colorful speaker.
I went to his memorial service last Saturday, and then to Gig Harbor to see the new stunt venue. Had I known you'd known John, I'd have notified you.