Born in South Bend, Indiana, John went to Lawrence University and majored in Russian. He did graduate work in political science (focusing on political theory and law) at Duke University. He taught in Texas, Alabama, and again in Texas prior to joining the staff at Luther College in 1981. He was called to be a Chicago Cubs fan in 1955 and has seriously considered rejecting that call on an annual basis since 1969.

(Bio from summer 2004)