Longtime Greenwich resident John Ryan Mendenhall died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 93 on August 4. For the last 20 years of his life, he had stoically suffered the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
John was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 17, 1928. He served in the army during the occupation of Japan after WWII. Following his military service, he attended the University of Notre Dame on the G.I Bill, graduating in 1950.
In 1953, he married Joan Schaefer just after his graduation from Harvard Law School. Both were defining events in his life. While he valued his lifetime of professional partnerships, it was his 68 year loving partnership with his devoted wife Joan that he treasured most. Joan and John met on a train heading back from college for a break, introduced by a mutual friend from their home town of Sioux City, Iowa.
In Cleveland, John began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. where he ultimately led the firm-wide tax division of Chicago based accounting firm. In 1970 he joined Washington law firm Williams & Connolly as a Partner to develop their tax practice. He moved to Greenwich in 1977 to join Union Pacific Corp as VP General Tax Counsel until his retirement in 1993.
His professional activities were numerous including leadership roles with the Business Roundtable, US Chamber of Commerce, American Bar, and National Tax Committee. Highlights of his external roles including work on the Cook County Hospital Governing Commission and as an adjunct professor at GWU Law School.
In more recent years, John joined Joan in local volunteerism as one of the many residents in support of Greenwich Hospital.
He belonged to the Belle Haven Club in Connecticut, Harvard Club in New York, Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, and Quechee Club in Vermont. In retirement, he appreciated friendships forged and jokes told (for his future retelling) at the Horseneck Club and his First Friday Group.
Family members visiting John would never leave without a book or two that he had “just finished.” His selections were mostly non-fiction and geared toward economic policy. Often dense with statistics, a book’s information would later be spoken during a friendly argument at a Mendenhall dinner party. Joan once quipped “Who can refute him?” when asked by a guest “is that true?” – about a statistic John had cited.
An only child, John was blessed with six children – Tom (Sue) of Vista, CA, Jim (Meg) of Burlington, CT, Jane (Mark Mastrianni) of Westport, CT, Julie (Ken Greto) of Greenwich, CT, Bob (Karla) of Fairfield, CT, Jennifer (Hans Richter) of Encinitas, CA – along with 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandsons. John reveled in the role of family patriarch, following the example of his beloved Iowa grandfather, J.J. Ryan.
John valued his many friendships and maintained ties for a lifetime. It gives his family great peace to know he is now “working the room” and getting acquainted again with so many good friends and family who have predeceased him.
John’s family extends thanks to Peter Tomaj and Rosie Valdes for their caregiving of the past 2 years particularly.
The funeral mass will be held Monday, August 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Greenwich Ave.
Because of Covid concerns, burial will be private.
If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in John’s memory to: Covenant House, 550 10th Ave, New York, NY 10018 and St. Mary’s Church in Greenwich or St. Mary’s Church, 178 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830.
