John Maurer

John William Maurer passed away on November 5, 2017.  He was born in Joliet, IL on September 11, 1941 to the late John Arthur Maurer and Magdalen Foesch Maurer Douglas.  John’s life was incredibly rich, a lifetime of learning and service.  John attained his magna cum laude accounting degree and the Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Akron. John retired from the State of Ohio in 1996 as an Administrative Law Judge and he formerly chaired the Administrative Law Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association. John was elected to represent State Employees on the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Board and served 1991-1994. Beginning in 2005, he was elected and re-elected to four more terms on the Board as the Retiree’s Representative. During the recent election process, John developed a website: JohnMaurer.info, where much can be learned about John in his own words. John was a paratrooper in the US Marine Corps and served during the years 1960-1964.  As a Marine, and as a Marine veteran, John developed deep friendships and strong bonds with Marines throughout the United States which cannot be described or put into words. He served as the Marine Corps League Department Judge Advocate, the Department Senior Vice Commandant and as Commandant of the local detachment. John was on the Advisory Committee which formed the Ohio Department of Veteran’s Services. John has also served as Commissioner and President of the Franklin County Veteran’s Service Commission.  John was a co-founder and trustee of the Mid-Ohio Marine Foundation. John was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, Marine Corps League and an American Legion member. For almost 20 years, John organized 1^ST ANGLICO Marine reunions and brought together Marines who had previously lost contact with each other. Some of the most memorable reunions were held in Quantico, VA touring the FBI academy and during Marine Week in Cleveland, Ohio. John was an Honor Guard at military funerals, on the Operations Committee of the Columbus Arts Festival, the board of a local organic food co-op, and for 17 Years recorded a radio program for the blind and visually impaired. He was a member of MENSA and Grandparents Living Theater Group where he performed in the United States and Germany.  John was the current President of Flytown, the Parliamentarian of the Guild Athletic Club and a member of Germania. After his recent diagnosis, John participated in a clinical trial for lung cancer research. Ever the student and explorer, John traveled the world.  He made several trips to Europe and many cruises in the Caribbean, visited almost every state including Alaska and Hawaii, three cruises to South America, the Galapagos Islands and even Antarctica. John is survived by his “sweet darling Cynthia” Gerhan, daughter Jennifer (Sam Rettman) Maurer and siblings Tom (Susan) Maurer, Paul Douglas, Scott (Frieda) Douglas, Matt (Holly) Douglas, Susan Douglas and Lora (Guy Stamm) Douglas all of WI., and his uncle, Robert I. Maurer of NJ., his Marine brothers and a host of friends. Family will receive friends Monday, November 13 from 2-3:00PM with a celebration of life service to follow at TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME WITH CREMATORY, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026.  GAC and Flytown prayer service will begin at 3:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Mid-Ohio Marine Foundation. (www.momf.org) A Memorial Scholarship will be established in John’s honor.