It is with great sorrow that I write these words. John Rheinfrank, a design visionary, passed away early Sunday morning in his Pittsburgh home after a valiant fight against cancer. I met John about a year ago through his wife, Shelley Evenson. Shelly had just started teaching at the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University.

Shelley became my thesis project advisor and John helped me considerably with my thesis essay. I spent many occasions at their home for social events as well as some of the most invigorating and exciting intellectual discussions with John while discussing my thesis work. The prowess of his thinking was inspiring as was his friendliness and openness.

I was looking forward to continuing the growth of our friendship until his time was cut short. His passing is a severe loss to the design community, as I am sure many of the people who have known him much longer than I already know. I will take with me all that I learned from him in such a short time and I am certain that his contributions as a visionary thinker and simply a wonderful man will linger with us for a very long time.

Goodbye, John. You will be missed.