Dr. John Van Hook

Birth date: May 18, 1949 Death date: Aug 23, 2020

Dr. John Van Hook, 71, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2020. Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, on May 18, 1949, John attended Columbia University in New York City and Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He held a P Read Obituary

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Williams - Thomas Downtown

404 N. Main St., Gainesville FL 32601

352-376-7556

Stephen Perry

165w ago

John was one of my best friends at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He was loved by so many at the University, and indeed he was a very kind and gentle soul, always sharing his knowledge and his love of literature. One of my favorite memories were our long distance runs up Mt. Sequoyah and then down the mountain, talking all the time about politics, literature, books, and what was happening at the University and in the world. John was indeed one of a kind. I will miss him terribly, and and will always remember him with enormous fondness. John, your many friends will miss you so much!
Stephen Perry

Elise

231w ago

I’m so saddened to see that John has passed. What a dear friend he was! I was hoping he’d get better and get to do that traveling he was hoping to do. He, along with Rover and Hobbs, were so sweet. My dog, Molly, absolutely loved John. Rover and Hobbs were some of the very few dogs she loved. John was one of the reasons I loved living in Gainesville. Such a wonderful person. Rest In Peace my friend, I hope your next journey is filled with beautiful reunions, happiness, and love ❤️ 🐶

Joseph Johnston

235w ago

Created a new album - Memories Album.

Joseph Johnston

235w ago

Created a new album - Memories Album.

Leilani Freund

295w ago

I came to the UF Libraries at almost the same time that John arrived and we retired within a year of each other. Although we were colleagues for all those years, I really got to know him much better the last 5 years when we shared responsibility for the Health & Human Performance subject area, a task for which we both volunteered "temporarily". We shared a lot of laughs over that - the two most unlikely people to take on sports and health. John tackled this new learning opportunity with his usual earnest approach and we both learned a lot. We also shared some good lunches at Paisano's and the occasional cinnamon roll from The Vine to get us through it all. I never once doubted John's commitment to serving as a librarian in the true sense of the word. I think he must have helped many aspiring students to be better researchers and I know he endeavored to find and help all of us acquire the best book collections possible. I know that wherever he is, he is reading book reviews! Rest in peace, John.

LeiLani Freund

Lynn C Labauve

298w ago

So sorry to learn this sad news. John was a caring colleague and friend to everyone he met; I will miss his cheerful kindness; his subject knowledge was wide and varied, and he was always happy to share his expertise and experience whenever he was asled/ John was an excellent teacher who genuinely enjoyed and respected his
students. He will be missed by many people. May he rest in peace.

C. David Hickey

298w ago

John was one-of-a-kind, a truly talented and committed reference librarian, researcher and editor. I took several drafts of articles for him to read (and constructively tear-apart and help me rebuild). Once I was really annoyed with him for his challenges to the manuscript's ideas as well as how they were expressed: later I saw his points and took them to heart! I always considered John a warm, engaging and always-enthusiastic colleague: while never becoming really close, we had a 25-year friendship based on mutual professional respect and human consideration. Cheers, my friend, wherever you are now....

David Hickey, retired
former Asian Studies Librarian, University of Florida Smathers Libraries

Sylvie Blum

298w ago

John was a great librarian and helped me and my film students as i started teaching at UF. He helped with the film collection and was often sending recommendations. He tirelessly provided his assistance for research through newspapers, and databases. A very sweet and smart presence. He is missed by many of us.

Dea Evand

298w ago

An extraordinary, rare gem. I too am honoured to be counted as a friend. He left me his heart - Watson.
I miss him terribly.
Dea Evans

Marty

298w ago

John was a neighbor of mine in Gainesville. He was such a kind, gentle, and generous soul who always had time to stop and chat, ask about the family, and ask if we needed anything. He was one of a kind. One of his favorite dogs, Hobbs, was always allowed to play and go for walks with my daughters. One couldn't ask for a nicer neighbor. Deepest sympathy to John's family. Sending positive thoughts for John's next journey and adventure

CARED FOR BY

Williams - Thomas Downtown

404 N. Main St., Gainesville FL 32601

352-376-7556

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