In Memory

John Paul Ehrensperger - Class Of 1973

John Paul Ehrensperger

John Paul Ehrensperger passed away in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 after an extended illness. Born January 24, 1955, he was a native of College Park and a longtime resident of Decatur. After graduating from College Park High, John received his bachelor's degree from Georgia Tech, and later earned his MBA from Georgia State University. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career with SunTrust Bank, where he retired in 2013 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Compliance. After retirement, John was able to pursue full time, his love of family, music, woodworking and photography. In addition to his business career and hobbies, John was very active in Habitat for Humanity and had a long history of service to the Boy Scouts of America. He is survived by his wife Beth Sullivan, sons; Peter Ehrensperger (Elizabeth) of Spokane, WA, and Will Ehrensperger of Auburn, AL. He was predeceased by his parents William E. & Norma Ehrensperger and infant sister Susanne Ehrensperger. Surviving family includes uncle Fred Ehrensperger (Joyce) of Birmingham, AL, sisters; Elaine Castles (Steve) of Mosier, OR, Mary Cook (Clyde) of Garner, NC, brothers; Bill Ehrensperger (Darlene) of St. Simons Island, GA and Thomas Ehrensperger (Beth) of College Park. Family will receive visitors Friday evening at A. S. Turner & Sons in Decatur from 6PM until 8PM. Funeral Services will be at Peachtree Road Lutheran Church at 2PM on Saturday. In keeping with John's love of music, laughter and fellowship, friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life after the services. Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Habitat for Humanity or the Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.



 
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09/30/16 02:49 PM #1    

Robert Irvin (1973)

It is with a very heavily saddened heart that I find myself writing a tribute and eulogy for a most treasured friend, a guy I knew for over fifty years.

John Paul Ehrensperger grew up down the street from me in Newton Estates, and we attended school together from K-12.

He was always one of the brightest kids in class, from the very start. He had a closely knit and wonderful family, with two brothers and two sisters. We were inseparable all through those early days, sharing so many common interests, and he was always very kind to me. As I sit here recounting so many memories, it is somewhat difficult to find the words to properly express what he meant to me. I am finding myself verklempt, and choked up with enormous grief and emotion. I knew this might be coming, but when it seemed that his treatment had gone so well, I was so confident that he would triumph and beat the odds to hang on a bit longer than turned out to be the case. I suppose it simply wasn’t in the stars, nor the cards.

 

John was not only a brilliant student, he was also a truly talented photographer and a very capable guitarist, and music, amongst many other things, were at the nexus of our friendship. We shared a fondness for radio theatre, cinema, tennis, automobiles, philosophy, there seems to me now an almost endless list of things that we would talk about over the years. Indeed, we never ever ran out of things to discuss. He was always well informed and most articulate. He graduated from Georgia Tech with honors and enjoyed a very successful career in the financial world.

 

So now, as I reflect on the gratifying decades, starting in Mrs. Hendry’s kindergarten class, all the way to College Park High, and the many years following that, I actually begin to fully appreciate how lucky I was to have known him. I am writing this as I’m still full of deep emotions, so please do forgive me if I am somewhat verbose and sentimental. 

 

I will miss this man, perhaps quite like no other. I will miss his wit, his sense of humor, his tact, humility, and commitment to duty. He was, and still is (wherever his spirit may be at this moment) a standup guy. He leaves behind a wonderful wife, Beth, and two fine sons and I am so grateful that he was able to see Will and Pete come unto their own in this world.

 

It had been a while since I last spoke with John directly, but we frequently exchanged emails. It is for me sadly ironic, that I was going to call him in the last couple of days to tell him that I was sending him down a CD of Leonard Bernstein’s definitive work “Mass,” a masterpiece that he would so much appreciate. A lesson to be learned. . . never hesitate, do it now! Life is so fragile, tender, and ultimately fleeting.

 

I know many of you who may read this will share my sentiments. My heart goes out to all who loved and admired John, as a person and as a friend. I am so upset that personal circumstances prevent me from traveling to Atlanta to bid a final farewell to a terrific individual. I shall never forget him for the rest of my days. . .

Robert Irvin    September 29, 2016   New York City

 

 

 

    

 

     

 

    

 


09/30/16 04:39 PM #2    

Charles Wayne Duncan (1974)

I didn't know John but I do remember seeing him in classes. 

I am sorry to hear of his passing and hope his suffering if any was little  and I hope his family is comforted. If Robert thought this highly of him it is my loss for having not known John better.

RIP John

 


09/30/16 06:42 PM #3    

Sherry Marsh (Boynton) (1973)

Thank you Robbie for the very heartfelt eulogy. I, too, knew John from Newton Estates all the way through CPHS. We had some very good times over the years. At one of the recent reunions, John, David and I sat and reminisced about our days growing up in Newton Estates....we all agreed it was a great place to grow up! (Those of you from Newton Estates know!)  It was a fun evening. He will be truly missed by many.


10/01/16 12:49 AM #4    

Robert Irvin (1973)

Wow, Sherry. . . even though my laptop for some odd reason chooes to not allow me scroll fully to the right to fully read the words of your message, I hear you, babe. And know exactly what you're saying. I have been on the phone constantly it seems, for the last 36 hours. . .and I am still misty eyed. I spoke for a long time last night with Thomas Ehrensperger, your colleague at Woodward, and John's younger brither by five years. It was so rewarding to bond with him. Forgive my spelling , it is a bit late and I am perhaps a little "three sheets into the wind," which is how John would want it, he would approve for sure. Those were such wonderful times, when the world was soemwhat younger and a lot more innocent. I'm sitting here in the darkened confines of my bedroom typing this as I am struggling to find words for an addendum for Tommy to say at the post service tomorrow night at Manuel's Tavern. It seems like there isn't enough one can say, I still feel overwhelmingly compelled to rhapsodize on those truly lovely years. We were a tightly knit little community there in our neighborhood. I spoke for about two hours with my estranged sister about it all tonight. She sends her regards to you. Someone else said "Well, Rob, you have absorbed some personal losses the last year or two, but this one is the first loss of someone who was your contemporary, your same age, and a legacy friend,and that makes  it a little more poingnant and deeply moving. I miss all of you deeply, i miss that era we lived in. I so wish we could reverse time and go back to the days of our youth.

John was very kind to make audiofiles a while back for me of a radio show that we were very into called "The Fourth Tower of Inverness." I want to post a link to short sequence form a radio artist named Joe Frank, I had sent a clip to John a year or two ago titled "From Someone Who Cares, and he was blown away with the powerful beauty in the writing. In case I cannot paste the link, simply google: "Joe Frank, From Someone Who Cares" and it will come right up. And I promise you, it will be one of the best 15 minutes you will ever spend.

I never tire of hearing it, and it never fails to cleanse my mind and spirit in an indescribale way. 

As if I ain't quite drunk anough yet, I will now have a nighcap and retire with all of my thoughts and memoroes of all you wonderful friends.

Ciao for now,

xoxo,

R

 


10/01/16 01:03 PM #5    

Rebecca Privett (Jones) (1973)

I, too, am so saddened by John's passing.  Robbie, I am sorry for your loss.  I know John would love the words you used to describe him and your relationship with him.  I didn't realize John had been ill, so I was shocked to learn this.  Prayers for his family and friends.

 


10/02/16 01:09 PM #6    

Catherine Rebecca Nichols (Rush) (1973)

I didn't know John very well but it is still hard to hear of his passing.  Even though I don't know what his illness was I do know that he was too young to have passed.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends.

 


10/03/16 10:06 PM #7    

Willie Joe Williams (1973)

  I didn't grow up in Newton Estates with John. I did go through CPHS for 5 years with him though. I was pretty much a nobody, an outsider. I worked after school for the whole 5 years. We were very poor. My mom raised us and became sick so my sister and I worked in a restaurant near the airport to pay the bills. I had many classes with John. It brought tears to my eyes when I heard of his passing too soon. He always treated me like I was a a good friend, like I did fit in. He was a very special guy. I pray that God will grant his family and friends the strength and wisdom to deal with their loss.

 

 

 

 

 

 


10/16/16 09:20 PM #8    

Elizabeth Ann Scogin (Mauldin) (1973)

I am so sorry to hear this. I was away on business and just found out. I talked with John and David at the reunion before last as well and as always they made me laugh. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all that loved him and grew up with him!


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