John Bielenberg, 71, of Berkeley California passed away on August 28th, 2020. 

John was the beloved father of Aaron (Karen Young), Ben (Julie) and Toby (Tracy), cherished grandfather ("Pops") of Alma, Hank, Dora, Beatrice, Adlai, Dawson and Dezy, loved “little” brother of Pat Smith (Art), the always thoughtful uncle “Uncle John” to Heather Smith, Alastair Smith, Julia Smith and their families. 

John was the devoted partner of Ellen Greenblatt with whom he shared a life of travel, nature and exploration within his adopted and spiritual home Northern California and throughout the world. He loved and was beloved by Ellen’s family.

Friends and family meant everything  to John.  He impacted the lives of many including those of his ex-wife Anne Bolotin’s extended family and countless others all over the world. John is  remembered by the many friends and colleagues who he supported and shared incredible experiences, as John was someone that you felt you knew well even if you just met him.

John was born in 1948 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Western Springs, Illinois. He attended LaGrange High School, the University of Iowa and Columbia College in Chicago. After traveling through Europe on a shoestring budget with his Wife, Sister and Brother in-law Art Smith, John started a career in the sanitary supplies industry working with the late Allan Bolotin, Baruch dayan ha’emet, and others, to build Bolotin Inc. into a regional leader in the industry and becoming a leader in the sanitary supplies business and in family business networks nationally. His reputation as a trusted and skilled business man created lifelong friendships with clients, suppliers and colleagues. He was a leader in the Green Buildings Sustainable industry – helping many facilities, including one of his favorite places Giants Stadium, significantly reduce their impact on the environment. He retired from Waxie, Inc. in [2015] after 45 years in the industry. 

John was a committed leader in the Jewish Community, in Chicago, in San Francisco and nationally, serving as a JUF young leader, leading missions to Israel, visiting Jewish “Refuseniks” oppressed in the Soviet Union in the 1980s and serving as a volunteer in San Francisco bringing his business experience to help Jewish communities operate sustainably. Being a part of the Jewish people and tradition was deeply important to John, and he was committed to Jewish education, sending his sons to Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook and Skokie, Illinois, in making and welcoming everyone into a Jewish home with Seders and Sukkahs, supporting Jewish institutions and living a life that embodied the ethic of Tikkun Olam – giving and repairing of the world.

John loved to be outside in nature. Hiking in Point Reyes, skiing in Colorado, on the tee box anywhere and cycling the windy roads and steep hills of Northern California, is where John created his favorite  memories with family and friends and where he was at peace. Following retirement, John was a passionate and devoted volunteer Ranger at Point Reyes National Park, loving every minute in a place he so cherished. He was about to begin a course to become a Certified Naturalist so that he could contribute even more to helping kids and adults enjoy and protect that special place. 

Also a sports fanatic, John always had a game on or one cued up in the DVR. A lifelong Cubs fan, John shared countless memories with family and friends at Wrigley Field including the long-awaited 2016 World Series Championship. He was an avid Bulls fan who was at Chicago Stadium for all the big games through the “last dance” era of Bulls greatness. He also loved soccer, watching his sons and grandchildren play, and up for watching and chatting about any random game on TV. 

Exploring new places, new cultures and most importantly new food was his passion. In retirement especially, John ramped up this passion, traveling the world with loved ones.  Travel for John was about exploration, opening minds, breaking down barriers and connecting with people different than you – and showing that after a few minutes of talking with John that no one is really that different.  

In John’s exploration and celebration of life and humanity he found peace by loving others - which is what we all can hope for during these difficult times.

Baruch dayan ha'emet

An online memorial service will be held on Tuesday September 1st, with a virtual Shiva following the service and on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Donations can be made to Point Reyes National Seashore Association with the note "In John Bielenberg's memory"

at https://ptreyes.thankyou4caring.org/donate_button

or

www.jewishfed.org/give - with the note “In memory of John Bielenberg” to Jewish community leadership development through the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.