John Lange's family sang him through his final journey on December 20, 2024. He passed away peacefully at age 79 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.  John was born to Raymond Lange and Mary Hunter on July 3, 1945, and raised in Springfield, Ohio. He was the eldest of 3 children.  He loved theater and played the lead in a number of school plays. After high school he attended Miami University of Ohio, graduating with a BA in Psychology. He earned his Master's degree in Psychology at Michigan State, and taught undergraduates briefly.

John taught public school in the Bronx while training to become a School Psychologist, which became his lifelong career.  He also became a gestalt psychologist and helped many children, adults and families with his brilliant intuition and skill.  He had an inquiring mind, and researched and wrote papers on various subjects, developing a more organic pedagogy, and connecting childhood experiences of danger or safety to time of maturation.

John met Nona Lewis in 1978.  They shared wonderful times with friends in an Ancram farmhouse rental, and traveled as much as they could. They married in 1983 and had 3 children who were the joy of John's life.  He sought always to appreciate and nurture their individuality and their unique gifts. John loved old buildings and renovated a beautiful old townhouse in Brooklyn where his children were born, and several other buildings in Brooklyn and in Troy, NY. The family moved to Columbia County in 1989, and were eventually able to build their home on a little piece of paradise in Harlemville.

He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, but as an adult joined St. Peter's Presbyterian Church in Spencertown, where his beautiful bass voice was heard in the choir for 35 years.  He also sang with the Hudson Valley Choral Society and with Concerts in the Village.  John wrote songs and poetry all his life.

John loved baseball and basketball but finally focused on golf for most of his life.  He was dubbed "Mr. Flashlight" by the club pro because of his penchant for only coming off the course after nightfall.

John is remembered fondly for his kindness, gentleness and compassion, his intelligence and love of conversation, poetry, and story-telling, and his wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Nona, his children: Justin, Dorna and Galen Lange; his grandchildren Nika and Kari; Kari's mother, Ambyr; his daughter-in-law Sanja; his sisters Linda Metz and Debbie Lange and many other beloved family members and friends.

The family is holding vigil Saturday, 12/21 and Sunday, 12/22 in the family home at 72 Cool Timber Rd, Ghent (in Harlemville). Visiting hours are 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM both days, or by special arrangement.  A private service and burial  at the Harlemville cemetery  on Monday, 12/23 will be followed by a memorial service in late winter or Spring.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The Alzheimer's Association or to CARE.  For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com