Deceased May 16, 2022
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In Memory
John came to Amherst from New Hartford High, in the town of the same name in Upstate New York. As an undergraduate, he was on the track team, majored in political science, was in the prelaw club and joined the Deke fraternity. John went on to earn degrees from Rensselaer Poly in architecture and the University of Wisconsin in urban and regional planning. His career was in town planning. He retired as director of planning for the town of Cortlandt in Westchester County, N.Y.
John served in the New York State National Guard and on the Flight 93 Memorial Commission after 9/11. He was one of 15 commissioners on the Federal Flight 93 Advisory Commission, whose purpose was to submit to the Secretary of the Interior and Congress a report containing recommendations for the planning, design, construction and long-term management of a permanent memorial honoring the passengers and crew at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Felts spent their winters in a condo at Bonita Springs, Fla. There John enjoyed the sand beaches and sunshine. He enjoyed his daily walks, averaging 2 miles a day. In 2021, John decided they would end those winter times in Florida and just live the whole year in Kinderhook, N.Y., near Albany.
John died on May 16, 2022. He is survived by wife Jan, two daughters and five grandchildren. John loved his family, travel, site inspections and long walks. His conversation and quiet humor will be missed by all.
Rob Sowersby ’55