John Charles Standing

John Standing was a faithful attender and a member of the San Francisco Friends Meeting for over 40 years. He became a member of San Francisco Friends Meeting on November 11, 1973. During the early 1970s, John served as a greeter at Lake Street Meeting House. The greeter position at that time was called “Hall Service.” In the 1980s, John served as Clerk of Welcoming Committee until 1989. John was warm and observant man. He had a wonderful memory for the Friends he had met over the years. At his request, John laid down his membership on September 10, 1989, but he continued to attend Meeting regularly for many years. He continued to greet newcomers and visitors, making them feel welcome in a new setting among Friends. John died on March 12, 2015 after a long illness.

John Charles Standing was born February 16, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa, son of Bernard A. Standing and Mildred Mendenhall. John had been a member of Urbana-Champaign Monthly Meeting, though released from membership there on January 22, 1967. In San Francisco, John worked as an Eligibility Worker for the City & County of SF. He was a kind and patient man, who was unfailingly even tempered, and who lived each day with gratitude. John lived in the present and was engaged and interested in the people and the natural world around him. He loved San Francisco and was curious and sympathetic toward everyone he met. He loved observing the seasons, trees, birds and the sky. He was a beloved Friend, known for his patience and kindness. His grace and gratitude will be missed. His is survived by his cousin Hilda Schwartz, nephew Rufus Kuhn, and niece Jennifer Sotelo.

The End.

Notes

What did he enjoy doing?  

What did he care about? his passions?

John had a great fondness for being out and about in the city, people watching and enjoying nature. He was charmed by the energy and enthusiasm of children, and curious and sympathetic towards everyone around him, from the barrista at the coffee shop to the panhandler on the street. John also loved nature and took great joy in watching birds and other small animals and in noting the cycles of nature from the leaves on the trees to the changing cloud and light patterns in the sky.

How would you describe John?

John was more than anything patient and kind. He was unfailingly even tempered even when he was in pain.

Do you have any stories about him?

My partner Noe took John on a long drive around the city after he had to move into the nursing home and they visited all of his old haunts, the coffee shops he enjoyed, his old apartment, and other places and John was deeply appreciative and excited. John's grace and gratitude was striking. He remembered and responded to every act of kindness, no matter how small.

Did John have family, friends or loved ones that we should mention?

John is survived by his cousin Hilda Schwartz , and nephew and niece Rufus Kuhn and Jennifer Sotelo.