John Schuessler, 93, was born on May 27, 1933 in Jacksonville, Illinois and passed away on July 11, 2026 in Denver, Colorado, in his home surrounded by family.

John was raised by his grandparents Frederick and Ida Schuessler in Decatur, Illinois until the age of 12. As a boy, he enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors. John was always interested in planes, aviation and eventually, aeronautics. After high school, he joined the Naval Reserves, and was called to active duty during the Korean War. He served as an engineer and draftsman in the Navy and received the National Defense Service Medal for his work during the war. After his discharge in 1955, he remained in the Reserves until 1963, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He received his degree in Engineering from University of Illinois, after which he began work at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, MO. In 1974, John was transferred to Houston, Texas to continue work in the space program. McDonnell Douglas became Boeing, from which John retired in 1998 after receiving the NASA Public Service Award for his work designing and building the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, now called the Sonny Carter Training Facility. After retirement his work did not end, he became the International Director for MUFON, an organization he co-founded in 1969. He then served as a contractor for Bigelow Aerospace. His long career in the aerospace industry and the UFO research community is notable.

John met Kathy while working at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. She was working in the Security Records office for the company, where she met John, an engineer working on aerospace projects. They were married in 1966, and moved to O’Fallon, Missouri. After moving to Texas, John continued his education, receiving a Masters degree in Futures Studies from University of Houston, Clear Lake in 1981. John was always a proponent of education and looking to the future with optimism. He and Kathy were loving parents and devoted grandparents. John and his wife Kathy would have celebrated their 60th anniversary on July 9th, 2026.

John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathy, and his parents Glen and Eva Schuessler. He is survived by daughter Barbra Schuessler Sobhani and husband James, son John J Schuessler and wife Brenda, Nathan Schuessler, Dewaynn Schuessler and wife Charlotte, Rev Mitch Schuessler and wife Penny, daughter Kelly Scullion and husband Chris, son Steven Schuessler and partner Virginia, and grandchildren Ashlyn and Jacob Schuessler Tomarra, Alanna Maher, Rowan Maher, John Ross Schuessler, Andy and Alli Schuessler, Rachael and Brandon Beckemeyer, Matthew and Chelsey Schuessler, Rhys Conabree, Lachlan Conabree, and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for John Schuessler will be held on September 6th, 2026, in Littleton Colorado at the Dancing Willows Clubhouse at 11893 W. Long Circle from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm. Street parking is available, light refreshments will be provided. Remarks will begin at 11:00 am. We welcome you to join us, share memories of John, and celebrate his life.