John Alexander Stover, of Petaluma, CA, passed away at his home on August 3, 2011, at the age of 57. He was the son of naval officer and Dr. John H. Stover, and Elsie Nylander Stover, both deceased. Most of his life he spent realizing his dream of becoming a virtuoso classical guitarist. After receiving degrees from both Peabody and the San Francisco Conservatories, Mr. Stover taught guitar and music at the University of Memphis, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Santa Rosa Junior College, and also taught privately. Mr. Stover's guitar performances were seen widely on the Arts and Entertainment network. He also performed extensively with orchestras and chamber groups, and in solo recitals in seven major U.S. cities, and in Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Stover debuted in Carnegie Hall in 1981, and returned there for a 25th anniversary performance. He was an investment representative and a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Marin. Very active in volunteer efforts, he enthusiastically gave his time, especially for causes that affected the outdoors and nature. Yosemite was his favorite park. John is survived by his son, Skyler Emerson Stover of San Francisco, his sister, Nancy Schlenke of San Francisco, and two brothers: Carl Stover of Chicago, and Alan Stover of Bethesda, MD. A gathering in John Stover's honor is planned for a future date.
My most vivid memory of John is That he spent his live making some of the finest music ever. I remember him sitting way up high in the "liberty tree" in 1972 in the back parking lot in an effort to prevent the county from cutting it down........passed away August 2011 from liver issues in Petaluma, California.
I met John in 1965-66 at Ayrlawn Elementary; he was in Miss Stanley's 6th grade class, and I was in Miss Cook's. Miss Stanley put on a mini-musical for the school one day in the "all-purpose room." I still remember John singing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" in costume and Cockney accent. I'm glad to see he enjoyed a long career in music!
Remember a sleepover at John's back in our NB days. Very honest guy and a straight shooter. Didn't realize he had passed. May his spirit find great peace and joy.
I was honored to attend the 2009 Grammy Awards with John, and was so glad I got a chance to spend time with him for the first time since we were in high school, and what turned out to be the last time before his death two years later. It was because of John that I had this rather special opportunity (for a Beatlemaniac like me) to hear Paul McCartney live, playing "I Saw Her Standing There". The magic of it, for me, was that the Beatles came to the States on my 10th birthday in 1964, and I saw them in one of their few live concerts here just a few days later, and of course they sang this song then. Now here it was, exactly 40 years later, again just a few days after my birthday, and I'm sitting there, in a much more sedate and formal setting, seeing Paul a lot closer up, doing that very same song, in a sort of full circle moment. John and I joked to each other that we both, "Cleaned up nice".
Judith Kopin (Hendlish)
John Alexander Stover, of Petaluma, CA, passed away at his home on August 3, 2011, at the age of 57. He was the son of naval officer and Dr. John H. Stover, and Elsie Nylander Stover, both deceased. Most of his life he spent realizing his dream of becoming a virtuoso classical guitarist. After receiving degrees from both Peabody and the San Francisco Conservatories, Mr. Stover taught guitar and music at the University of Memphis, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Santa Rosa Junior College, and also taught privately. Mr. Stover's guitar performances were seen widely on the Arts and Entertainment network. He also performed extensively with orchestras and chamber groups, and in solo recitals in seven major U.S. cities, and in Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Stover debuted in Carnegie Hall in 1981, and returned there for a 25th anniversary performance. He was an investment representative and a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Marin. Very active in volunteer efforts, he enthusiastically gave his time, especially for causes that affected the outdoors and nature. Yosemite was his favorite park. John is survived by his son, Skyler Emerson Stover of San Francisco, his sister, Nancy Schlenke of San Francisco, and two brothers: Carl Stover of Chicago, and Alan Stover of Bethesda, MD. A gathering in John Stover's honor is planned for a future date.
My most vivid memory of John is That he spent his live making some of the finest music ever. I remember him sitting way up high in the "liberty tree" in 1972 in the back parking lot in an effort to prevent the county from cutting it down........passed away August 2011 from liver issues in Petaluma, California.
Donald Baker
I met John in 1965-66 at Ayrlawn Elementary; he was in Miss Stanley's 6th grade class, and I was in Miss Cook's. Miss Stanley put on a mini-musical for the school one day in the "all-purpose room." I still remember John singing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" in costume and Cockney accent. I'm glad to see he enjoyed a long career in music!
Daniel Stafford
Remember a sleepover at John's back in our NB days. Very honest guy and a straight shooter. Didn't realize he had passed. May his spirit find great peace and joy.
Bob McDonald
Very sad news indeed. There are videos of him performing, for example
. Condolences to his family.
Sally Avedikian (Embree)
I was honored to attend the 2009 Grammy Awards with John, and was so glad I got a chance to spend time with him for the first time since we were in high school, and what turned out to be the last time before his death two years later. It was because of John that I had this rather special opportunity (for a Beatlemaniac like me) to hear Paul McCartney live, playing "I Saw Her Standing There". The magic of it, for me, was that the Beatles came to the States on my 10th birthday in 1964, and I saw them in one of their few live concerts here just a few days later, and of course they sang this song then. Now here it was, exactly 40 years later, again just a few days after my birthday, and I'm sitting there, in a much more sedate and formal setting, seeing Paul a lot closer up, doing that very same song, in a sort of full circle moment. John and I joked to each other that we both, "Cleaned up nice".
Sally Avedikian (Embree)
Here's a great photo of John back in high school by Bruce England.
Mary McKay (Adams)
Thank you, Bob McDonald, for sharing that video of John. He was clearly a gifted musician.
Sally Avedikian (Embree)