codesanitize

Joanne Molesky

co-author of “Lean Enterprise”, John’s spouse

My first profession was in well being care. I left that area within the early 1990’s because of the stress of continually working in underfunded circumstances (to not point out diminishing alternative for work). As I looked for a brand new profession, John inspired me to discover ways to use electronic mail and educate others the way to use it. From there, he continually inspired me to maintain going and decide myself up and transfer on after I stumbled and had doubts that I used to be sensible sufficient and adequate to work within the Tech trade. He caught his neck out many occasions by vouching for me in stretch roles that turned obtainable. I might by no means have been thought of for them if he hadn’t achieved that. He advised me as soon as it wasn’t as a result of we have been married, it was as a result of he knew I might do a very good job and I might not fail. He has a beautiful present to assist individuals see the brighter aspect of life and provides us hope that we will do a very good job regardless of the quite a few boundaries that must be overcome.

Like many people of a sure age who’ve labored in tech, John by no means obtained a proper coaching in software program growth or administration. His diploma is in Philosophy. He took some stats programs at college. He taught himself the way to code, check and perceive methods. Earlier than John began working in Tech, he labored with disabled individuals in group properties. He has quite a lot of compassion for the much less lucky on the planet and would stand as much as bullies when he noticed them behaving badly in the direction of the weak. He talked about that somewhat than confront and punish, he would use optimistic reinforcement behavioural coaching methods with drawback individuals at work so they may develop into a productive a part of the group. I believe these years working with disabled individuals (vastly underrated and underpaid work) paid off in spades later in his profession.

Ian Robinson

co-author of REST in Observe

Jim Webber and I labored lots with John, in Calgary, over 2007 and 2008. We went from a one-week troubleshooting gig to a big change programme nearly in a single day. I believe John had a tolerant skepticism in the direction of our massive principle and broad-strokes consultancy: whereas many people misplaced ourselves for some time in an abstracted, considerably confused, big-picture tackle proceedings, John sought to offer a gentle counterweight, working in his affected person, humble strategy to set up belief and credibility by educating and inspiring good practices within the engineering groups on the bottom.

John understood that software program is a social exercise, and that change is usually greatest rooted in day-to-day actions and habits, in belief, and could be most enduring when it emerges from the bottom up. He led by doing, by being candid about experiments and errors, by creating house for younger, upstart concepts and enthusiasms, and by having enjoyable.

By way of impression on my profession, I believe there was a sensible impression then, and an affect now, as I proceed to work out how I’d stay a major skilled life. Someday within the early 2010s, I believed I needed a “identify” for myself in our trade. Someday later, I spotted I didn’t. I’d had mayfly ambitions: John’s lengthy profession confirms for me now {that a} important skilled life just isn’t a once-and-done affair. Each engagement is initially an engagement with a recent group of distinctive individuals. Success, belief and respect don’t simply roll over from one engagement to a different – each interplay begins afresh to construct at present’s manner of working collectively. There must be a robust core of compassion and openness, of here-and-nowness, for somebody to take care of that potential to construct group foundations time and again, over a few years – and John had that core.

In addition to our software program pursuits, we shared loads of touchpoints round British comedy and science fiction, and we laughed lots – largely at ourselves, which I believe is the kindest laughter. I believe that characterises John’s skilled life: an effortlessly inclusive interaction of concepts and actions performed with a lightweight contact of persistence and humor – he was a humble however massively influential trainer, chief and pal.

Sharlene McKinnon

This memorial was each straightforward and laborious to write down. It’s straightforward as a result of John had such a long-lasting impression on my profession, and it’s straightforward to tease that impression out of all of the silliness that we take care of as consultants. It’s laborious as a result of it feels so flawed to be saying goodbye. It’s far too quickly.

John is a storyteller, and he has a manner of utilizing tales to attach and produce out the most effective in individuals. I keep in mind assembly him in 2008. I went to a shopper web site on my first day at Thoughtworks, and I used to be so inexperienced. I frightened that I’d mess up as a result of I didn’t know “Agile.”

I ended up on his group and the very first thing he mentioned is, “Don’t fear about that stuff. Crucial factor is to get individuals speaking to one another.” And, that’s what we did. We spent months simply specializing in strengthening the human connections whereas modifications in expertise swirled round us at a blistering tempo.

What strikes me is that I keep in mind the human parts from that point—the laughter, John’s tales, his knowledge and real need to assist. And I’ve forgotten the tech and mission particulars, as a result of they weren’t that necessary. Know-how is fleeting and like a high-speed practice that strikes at an unmanageable tempo. It was the conversations and connections that we had on that practice that glued us collectively and made the journey memorable.

One of many issues that John used to say to me was, “That particular person is caught within the weeds. Go assist them see the forest.” I’ve constructed a profession out of serving to individuals get out of the weeds. This was one thing that John acknowledged and fostered in me in these early years (I didn’t see it). I really feel blessed to have recognized him.

Steven Deobald

It’s been over a decade since I labored with John, and I don’t have any particular anecdotes to share. Nonetheless, I did need to describe the way in which by which he dealt with a (generally tough) group. He was not the form of one that would both dominate conversations and current himself because the authoritative chief of the group, nor was he the form of one that would sneakily “seek the advice of” his strategy to the proper conclusion.

As a substitute, John simply spoke clearly and truthfully. A standup with John was at all times a form of palate cleanser, irrespective of how tough yesterday had been. His sense of humour was usually the key sauce that helped a group gel.

He was a really pure mentor and chief, in that he would largely stand apart and let individuals develop on their very own. As a substitute of pushing or pulling, he would calmly step in — like an skilled gardener — to information and defend the youngest amongst us as we discovered what the heck it was we have been actually doing. Typically this steerage was technical and inner, generally it was political and client-facing. Typically it was only a hug when somebody clearly wanted one.

On a for much longer timescale, John’s mentorship meant educating others to be mentors. Not by teaching or working seminars, however by his personal instance. Sadly, a big a part of what I loved a lot about working with John is ineffable. However everybody who had the privilege of working with him has absolutely felt it.

Mike Jones

My very first introduction to “QB” (a nick-name for John) was previous to my TW employment. I used to be an integration developer co-located with a TW group. At one level throughout my very first day on the mission, QB jumped out of his chair, yelled ‘Dopio’ and walked out of the room. I had no thought what was taking place however then the complete TW group additionally popped up and walked out of the room. I used to be caught off guard however they motioned to me to affix them and I rapidly found that ‘Dopio’ (double espresso) was QB’s favourite drink at Starbucks. Proclaiming ‘Dopio’ was QB’s cryptic manner of claiming ‘Come on group, let’s go for espresso’. That may be a very fond reminiscence of mine.

James Pickett

John and I labored intently collectively in 2018 by way of early 2020. Throughout that point, I believe John and I had extra meals collectively than I did with my household! Once I joined Thoughtworks in 2017, I used to be each a lateral rent and an individual with abilities/expertise that have been “non-core” to Tw on the time. I depend John as considered one of a handful of Thoughtworkers that actually helped me discover a strategy to have an effect for our shoppers and the corporate. We additionally had so many conversations about so many subjects past Thoughworks (household, youngsters, tech trade, and all issues Canada!). Relaxation in peace John. We’ll miss you, and we’re all higher for figuring out you!

Evan Bottcher

John was a presence in Thoughtworks from the time I joined in 2006, a kind of voices within the noise inside our mailing listing, who when he spoke up you listened to what he needed to say, as you may inform it was reasoning from a large expertise base and a excessive mind. I inherited him as one of many “elders” considered one of whom I felt that I turned later in my time at Thoughtworks.

I believe the factor I might spotlight was his expertise in working with groups making use of agile strategies to mainframe growth, together with check pushed growth. I do know for a number of years afterwards I might join John with Thoughtworks groups everywhere in the world after they would stumble upon this bizarre world of mainframe and wanted somebody to assist in giving them the ‘Rosetta stone’ to have good conversations and affect with them. John would graciously take the calls and supply that bridge to a special period of growth.

Aleksandar Serafimoski

John was an incredible pal, mentor and an incredible human being. He at all times cared about individuals, and manner out of his strategy to really feel individuals heard, acknowledged and really feel as a part of the group. His data and expertise with legacy modernization and testing has been invaluable. He was at all times keen to share his perspective and to assist individuals after they have been struggling. I’ll positively miss him at TW and in life! Relaxation in peace John.

Angela Ferguson

I had absolutely the privilege of counting John and Joanne associates since they have been right here on project in Melbourne. One of many issues that actually stands out to me about John is his potential to essentially really feel the enjoyment in (nearly) any scenario and to need to share that pleasure with others, whereas concurrently not hesitating on calling bullshit when it must be referred to as. His need to take colleagues alongside on his skilled journey, to champion for them and to assist them to additionally see the enjoyment in working with nice individuals was sensible. Regardless that I’ve solely seen him sporadically prior to now years – and I really feel very fortunate to have been capable of see him this previous September – I, like many others, will miss having him right here.

Brandon Byars

writer of Testing Microservices with Mountebank

All people wants a mentor after they transfer right into a stretch function. The primary time I took on a management place at scale, I used to be lucky to have John Kordyback mentor me. He taught me to “lean in” to issues somewhat than run or conceal from them. He taught me the significance of strolling the halls and speaking to individuals, as a result of working at scale meant constructing and relying in your community to get issues achieved. He taught me to chuckle on the day by day tribulations somewhat than develop into burdened by them. He helped me suppose not nearly expertise, however the way to implement expertise by way of individuals, and the way to keep resilient when the challenges felt overwhelming. John did excess of assist me develop into a greater technologist and a greater chief; he helped me develop into a greater particular person.

Stefania Stefansdottir

I had the fortune to very briefly meet and work with John in 2020 at
Thoughtworks. John was an individual that in some way managed to go away such a
optimistic impression on the individuals round him. How he approached
structure and software program supply tied to legacy methods was in some way
so tied to empathy for the individuals working with it and understanding
the worth of the system that it nonetheless stays with me 4 years later and
has influenced how I work together and work each with legacy methods and
shoppers.

Martin Andersen

Once I met John I used to be working within the Calgary workplace, which on the time was the epitome of TW’s “like faculty however with cash” slogan – we have been all younger, it was considerably unhinged, and it was loads of enjoyable. At some point I heard there was some pleasure that we’d managed to rent this senior man from TransCanada, older and extra skilled. I might see the worth in that, however to be sincere I actually wasn’t trying ahead to it. I felt just like the temper would shift, get extra critical and boring. After all as soon as he arrived it didn’t take lengthy to understand this wasn’t the case. John was at all times an extremely youthful particular person. He was enthusiastic and curious and at all times stuffed with vitality. And he liked each the issues most important to make this trade work its greatest: expertise and other people.

I used to be at all times impressed by his potential to stay excited about and focussed on detailed technical issues. Lots of people age out of this as they shift or drift extra into management and administration, however John at all times needed to be near the metallic. And whereas it’s not unusual for individuals to need to stay concerned, in an trade at all times altering as quick as this has, so many don’t sustain. However John did. He by no means bored with studying, and you may at all times see clearly his pleasure about no matter it was he was pursuing.

I used to be extra impressed, although, along with his curiosity in and deal with others. If you have been with John he was with you. He was and engaged. He had a wry, playful sense of humour. Might be critical as wanted, however would at all times somewhat be smiling, which he normally was. In all places he went he made associates and put individuals comfortable. He’d land at a shopper web site and have all of it mapped out earlier than you knew it, joking round with VPs and junior devs alike. Some individuals make forging these enterprise relationships seem to be work, transactional, however I by no means received that sense with John. It felt like he really did simply take pleasure in making connections. Actually, he had the identical enthusiasm and curiousity concerning the individuals he labored with as he did concerning the issues he labored on. He made all of it appear enjoyable. Greater than that, he made it truly enjoyable. It nonetheless makes me chuckle that I ever thought he may be some gray stultifying presence. I’m glad I had the possibility to spend as a few years round him as I did. I’ll miss him.

Ranbir Chawla

SVP Engineering, RB World

I met John throughout a Challenge Discovery whereas I used to be working at Thoughtworks, and I used to be instantly impressed along with his potential to take heed to the shoppers, ask perceptive questions and attain a fast understanding of the deeper below-the-surface points at hand. John at all times displayed a deep empathy for individuals, and on the identical time a really sensible mindset that helped us all see how we might break down a big drawback, perceive the human elements and the way they intertwined with expertise issues. He was a unbelievable communicator, capable of break down a fancy answer into one thing very comprehensible by the viewers he was with. He and I used to joke that the easiest way to be sure you understood an issue was to elucidate it to your mom first, and if she get’s it, properly then you need to perceive it as properly; so now you might be outfitted to assist take your shoppers on a journey to their finish objectives with out dropping them in some deeply technical presentation or planning cycle.

With that degree of practicality and communication John and I have been capable of companion with our shopper leaders to point out the worth of small-batch work, frequent deliveries of software program to their product groups (weekly vs. quarterly to begin) and in the long run modified throughout the group how software program was delivered, dragging their different consulting companies into the method. All of the whereas John stored smiling, joking, and taking individuals on that journey in his personal particular manner.

Most of all, John made that fixed on the highway time away from residence enjoyable and cozy. I’ll treasure the easy dinners on the native Indian restaurant in Spring Texas, or burgers on the native bar and grill he liked that we named The Kordy Shack. His humour, empathy, and skill to climate no matter storm hit us left an timeless impression in my soul. As an older man solely 3 years youthful than John, I nonetheless would inform him “Sometime I’ll develop as much as be identical to you sir ”.

Vanessa Towers

I first labored on the identical account as John in 2013 after which afterward in 2020. John was a standout in each situations, rapidly incomes a robust repute as a technical chief, modernization guru and all-round form hearted human. John’s humor received everybody by way of probably the most difficult occasions throughout bold shopper engagements. John’s dedication to our shoppers was second to none, engaged on a distributed account at scale from the US West Coast meant John and I might usually begin our working day at 5am, with John usually taking cost of driving essential conferences and dealing classes at the moment, with a number of cups of espresso wanted to maintain us going by way of the early hours. John’s dedication to rising the subsequent era of Thoughtworks leaders was an unbelievable present to these round him. John was an inspiring colleague, pal, gardener, cook dinner, father and devoted husband to Joanne. He will likely be vastly missed by his associates and colleagues at Thoughtworks.

Miguel Enriquez

Principal Software program Engineer at Subsequent Knowledge

Like many others, I met John at work throughout very tough occasions each private
and professionally. Like many technologists I knew from that point, I used to be very
obsessed with a number of subjects however John at all times had these pearls of knowledge to
share with me concerning expertise, management and, extra importantly, private
relationships.

I at all times questioned why he at all times would transfer between conferences with executives to
our little warfare room downstairs with a smile that was contagious. Everybody was
virtually smiling and laughing each time we noticed him stroll the hallways. I slowly
realized, by way of conversations that I keep in mind fondly, that he was a superb
human being and he cemented this with nice talks about tech, smart banter, nice
e-book suggestions, a shared love for cats, and particularly a contagious sense
of humor. I’m at a lack of phrases about all good the issues he was and I’ll
keep in mind him fondly, smiling all the way in which, as a mentor and fellow technologist.

Patrick Kua

Founding father of the Tech Lead Academy

John confirmed me early in my profession what on a regular basis management appeared like. I first noticed his identify on inner mailing lists. His contributions at all times felt well-balanced and considerate, contrasting with a few of the heated debates on a software program growth listing. When he posted, his phrases appeared to maneuver individuals, and other people actually listened to him.

I understood this extra whereas engaged on an project in Canada. We labored on the identical shopper, albeit on completely different tasks, so I lastly received to place a face to the identify. Though we labored on completely different tasks, we sat in the identical cubicle space. I keep in mind he would at all times greet me on arrival, say goodbye earlier than leaving, and, regardless of his difficult mission, at all times had a smile or a joke to share. Extra importantly, I found I might at all times flip round and ask for enter when uncertain about something. He at all times made time to rigorously pay attention and noticeably pause and suppose earlier than responding.

In management circles, you usually hear the saying, “On the finish of the day, individuals gained’t keep in mind what you mentioned or did; they may keep in mind the way you made them really feel.” John made everybody really feel listened to. Since you felt listened to, you additionally listened to John when he mentioned one thing. Regardless that my mission solely lasted just a few months, his role-modelling underscored how everybody can present management with out being a proper chief.

Amit Uttam

Earlier than becoming a member of Thoughtworks full-time, I had the nice fortune of being a part of a group that had introduced in Thoughtworks for what was presupposed to be a short “consulting and technical” steerage engagement. Simply prior, I keep in mind feeling somewhat drained from continually being pulled into non-technical areas of group and enterprise administration, whereas nonetheless making an attempt to maintain my ever-fading technical embers alive and stoked.

It was in that transient engagement that I met John Kordyback, and he confirmed me that it was alright to be wizened, quirky, politely irreverent and unapologetically technical. I ultimately turned John’s colleague and teammate at Thoughtworks Calgary, and I can say with full confidence that a few of my most necessary profession selections and trajectory forks are laced with a little bit of his particular salt.

I’m a greater particular person for having recognized John, my pal.

Chirag Lakhani

I contemplate myself extremely lucky to have had the chance to collaborate and work intently with John on latest mission collectively. Our in-person interactions throughout a latest mission have been invaluable, as John proved to be not solely an distinctive group member but in addition a mentor and coach to me. His steerage on main classes and public talking was significantly enlightening. John’s insights remodeled how we approached shopper issues, urging us to suppose outdoors the field and embrace risk-taking and speedy iteration. Outdoors of labor, our conversations over dinners offered glimpses into his passions and his love for his household. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his long-awaited bike, ordered amidst the challenges of the Covid period. He needed to take pleasure in his bike rides throughout his sabbatical. Even throughout his sickness, John’s resilience shone by way of. Our Zoom conversations have been at all times stuffed along with his unwavering positivity, and he took delight within the medical care he obtained. Regardless of dealing with powerful days, he made time for us. We performed New York occasions puzzles (Wordle & Connections) on a regular basis and his aggressive spirit thrived. We liked sharing scores day by day with one another on our non-public Wordle channel. The latest absence of his scores in our Wordle channel serves as a poignant reminder that issues won’t ever be fairly the identical with out him.

Relaxation in peace, John. Your presence is sorely missed.

Blanca Lopez

I received the chance to collaborate with John after I got here again from maternity depart. I used to be overwhelmed by this new stage in my life as I used to be looking for steadiness between skilled life and my new function as a mother. Kordyback was not solely an excellent colleague who helped me discover my manner again to work, he was an incredible human being who additionally shared parental suggestions, beer and meals suggestions.

He was a pure chief with excessive values, a sort smile, dad jokes in his pocket and an ideal strategy to discover alternatives to share his admiration for Joanne.

Kelly Cronin

I solely labored on one mission with John, about 3 years into my tenure at TW, however he and the actual foxhole we have been in there left a long-lasting impression on me. My first assembly with him was, delightfully, within the bar colloquially recognized account-wide because the Kordy Shack, the place he grinned a welcome at me, handed over a menu he didn’t want, and made just a few suggestions, ones which I used to be silly sufficient to not take.

Over the subsequent few months, as a “pre-technical” addition to a really technical technique group, I made an insane pest of myself badgering everybody for particulars on the whys, with a view to perceive, and assist inform the story of, what we have been doing there. Anybody coming into our communal convention room in between grueling shopper conferences was instantly waylaid and set to narrating my more and more unreadable whiteboard diagrams. However John had a present for clarification, even when explaining to somebody as hard-headed and pre-technical as me; a present he’d honed through lengthy years of seeing round corners for his shoppers when all they may see was a legacy spaghetti diagram; for serving to them discover a aspect door out of the technical corners they’d painted themselves into.

He had unbelievable persistence for that form of dialog. He gave me diagrams explaining some fundamental information precepts and defined a few of the steps the shopper was going to need to take alongside the way in which to the transformation they needed; then gave me the fact of what they have been more likely to do after they ran out of time and money, and the place that may possible land them. He helped me fill in an enormous hole in my understanding of knowledge platforms broadly. I won’t ever discover ways to pay attention like John, however I actually discovered I ought to pay attention to him. I won’t have had the talents to acknowledge how deeply his data truly rooted, however even I might inform the person was seeing the forests, the timber, and all of the leaves and bugs and sub-bark phloem and xylem that stored the entire rattling factor alive.

That is to say nothing of his dry Canadian wit, his willingness to be foolish, his abiding love of an absurd headline or a very good dad joke, and his utter graciousness within the face of this unfair, infuriating analysis and sickness. To have such a person be reduce brief is actually tragic; for him to be praising his success on the way in which out, for the therapy he obtained and the help of his household and associates, and the care of his medical group, and the life he received to steer up till…. that’s to his core the person that he was: following hope the place it led down an arduous path, then gracefully bidding hope adieu to stroll the remainder of the way in which with realism and peace. We who knew him have been fortunate; and we might be fortunate to face what he did as he did, with vulnerability, equanimity, and look after these he left behind. It was one more hole in my data that he stuffed for me, and I really like him for it.

Michelle D’Souza

John and I labored collectively in 2008 for numerous years on my very first account at Thoughtworks. It was a big and nebulous account and more often than not I felt I didn’t know what I used to be doing. However John, along with his massive and reassuring smile (the factor I’ll miss probably the most about him), made me really feel like I used to be able to something.

He was a robust believer in recognizing an individual’s strengths and amplifying these. He was one of many first few individuals to point out me the significance of the human aspect of expertise. Irrespective of how busy he was, he often popped by our cubicles to share a random bicycling story or to speak about shopper technique or the brand new hotness in tech.

He was a mentor not simply to me however to anybody who was keen to pay attention. He will likely be dearly missed…..

Nick Thorpe

The primary time I met John Kordyback, he swept right into a shopper we have been working at. It was my first job, and I used to be nervy. I requested him what he was doing there. He pointed on the sky, and mentioned “Air Cowl”. I had no thought what he meant, however as we turned associates, I got here to grasp it meant “influencing individuals many ranges up from what you see out of your vantage level”.

John was at all times involved about individuals, however he by no means purchased into bullshit. Afterward, we have been speaking about how a few of our colleagues have been deriding the mission as “waterfall”. I had no thought what to say to that, as a result of it was true! He put his hand on his mouth in mock horror, after which got here that wolfish Kordyback grin. “Inform ‘em to recover from it”. He mentioned.

Christopher Hastings

I met John on considered one of my earliest TW tasks. He was form and heat, but in addition had an incredible perspective on what was necessary. As a latest rent, I used to be nonetheless making an attempt to type by way of the way to method working with shoppers, and John was at all times a gentle hand to deal with what was necessary. He was form to swap tales of carpentry and different tasks, as properly. He’s already missed.

Lejo Varughese

John was a guiding mild in my private {and professional} journey. As a mentor, he performed the function of the smart ‘grownup’ throughout necessary levels of my profession, providing steerage, and a gentle hand by way of life’s ups and downs. His kindness, knowledge, and dedication will proceed to encourage and information me as I navigate the trail forward. Relaxation in peace, expensive pal and mentor.

Jez Humble

co-author, Steady Supply, Lean Enterprise, The DevOps Handbook, Speed up

John was an exceptionally skilled and skillful chief and problem-solver who efficiently guided groups and tasks to success in probably the most advanced and ambiguous conditions. I received to know him due to his work serving to a group at a big insurance coverage firm implement steady supply practices on mainframes. You’ll be able to see the wonderful discuss he gave on this matter at a convention I organized in 2013. I should have proven excerpts from this discuss over 100 occasions through the years.

What actually made John a particular particular person for me was not simply what he did, however how he did it. He mixed being tremendously laid again with caring an excellent deal for the individuals round him. He would at all times lead with an enormous hug and checking in on everybody, and softly throw in some zingers to spice issues up. He made everybody round him really feel like their perspective have been useful, and that they have been cared for. His deep follow of empathy and loving-kindness was no less than as necessary as his technical ability in making the individuals he labored with profitable, and I discovered an excellent deal from his instance. I’ll miss him very a lot.

David Robinson

I had the privilege to work with John Kordyback on 3 events throughout my tenure at Thoughtworks. I’m a greater human and a greater advisor due to him. I aspire to be the type of Thoughtworkers he was. His humility and kindness made a optimistic impression on his colleagues, associates, and shoppers. I actually appreciated his relaxed perspective, even when issues received “attention-grabbing”. I’ll miss him

Tom Clement Oketch

I had the superb privilege of working with John extensively at a shopper in Houston from 2018 to 2019. His data of enterprise structure, testing in all its types, mainframes, and legacy modernization was unmatched. His potential to command respect and restore calm to chaos in a room stuffed with executives was magical. Nonetheless maybe my favourite trait of his was the persistence and empathy with which he handled everybody round him.

It isn’t usually that somebody as sensible and excellent as him could be keen to put apart their lofty accomplishments to have deeply impacting conversations about all the things from work and profession, to household and the goofiness of American versus Canadian tradition, to random conversations concerning the superb pictures he had taken of his cat. I learnt lots from John, and for that I’m deeply grateful.

Relaxation in peace, form pal.

Ben Escudero

I’ve nothing however fond reminiscences of John’s prolonged tour of Australia that go properly past studying about how watching ice hockey could be thought of a marital exercise in Canada. At all times keen to inject his rascally humour and a depraved smile into an interplay, John introduced a deep sense of humanity and social connection to all of his technical engagements.

If John was on the group, you at all times knew that each single member of that group would have him looking for them, supporting them, encouraging them to think about a special perspective to the scenario at hand. This went manner past being beneficiant along with his time, John merely embraced the concept offering pastoral care was in step with the years of expertise that he introduced to each interplay.

Listening to John categorical his timeless love for his gal, normally within the presence of mentioned gal, was a lesson within the energy of vulnerability, of the enjoyment of being in love, and the significance of expressing gratitude for all that life has to supply. John helped form and information many technologists who have been lucky sufficient to have had his help on the powerful issues that wanted to be solved. His considerate, loving care for everybody inside his orbit stays with me even after a decade of our final mission collectively, and by gosh I really like that fella for it.

Jonathan Kohl

I met John over twenty years in the past after I was in my first company IT atmosphere as a software program tester. John had been requested to try my work, and supply steerage and suggestions as wanted. I used to be a child working with scissors writing Ruby scripts for check automation, and management felt that it would assist to have an grownup within the room. I used to be nervous after I confirmed John what I had been engaged on. My code solved the issues I wanted it to resolve, nevertheless it was easy. I used to be additionally utilizing a precursor to what turned the Watir automation device, and he was enthusiastic when he noticed what I used to be doing. Not solely did he praise my work and mentioned form issues concerning the code I felt so self-conscious about, he had all types of nice concepts for enchancment. He helped me promote my concepts to the remainder of the group, and was so optimistic about properly, nearly all the things.

At some point, I used to be upset and John got here by to see how I used to be doing. I had been requested to digitize an info radiator that I’d created, however the stipulation was that I needed to create it in Excel. Once I fumed to John that it was inconceivable to create the reporting dashboard we required in Excel, he mentioned: “You are able to do something with Excel for those who actually need to.” He was proper, and he taught me the way to make API calls and leap by way of all types of hoops and awkwardness in Excel to resolve the issue. It labored, and the managers I labored with have been happy. Through the years, he would deliver it up, grinning, with a gleam in his eye. “I advised you, you can also make Excel do something, even for those who shouldn’t.”

John felt that there was extra to discover than having a sober second take a look at my automation work, so as an alternative of him reviewing and advising, we began to actively work collectively. We began pairing to see how testers and builders might collaborate on Take a look at Pushed Growth for software program tasks. We discovered the most effective areas for a software program tester to contribute, and we additionally discovered loads of practicalities about having two individuals with completely different ability units pair programming collectively. That wasn’t sufficient although, John needed me to study and personal TDD myself, so from then on, we’d pair and I discovered the way to write check instruments utilizing TDD, one check at a time. Once I moved on to develop into an impartial advisor, these hours spent with John actually paid off. I had important expertise, a greater command of needed instruments, and the affect of his optimistic perspective and unflappable presence, irrespective of how chaotic the atmosphere was. I used to be additionally capable of write articles and communicate at conferences on subjects we had skilled collectively, all as a result of a sort and beneficiant man noticed one thing in a brash child, and frolicked educating and inspiring me.

Other than the technical aspect of his affect, what I’ll keep in mind probably the most is John the particular person. After I moved on and we didn’t work collectively anymore, we nonetheless stayed in contact. He was a unbelievable particular person to bounce concepts off of, or to ask recommendation after I skilled tough conditions as a advisor. If my thought was half baked, he’d let me know, nevertheless it was at all times a optimistic expertise. John would additionally problem my concepts, and information me in the direction of different views, all with out me feeling challenged or interfered with. Later, after I was on the highway myself, I appeared ahead to our paths crossing if we occurred to be in the identical place on the identical time. Assembly John like this meant I used to be in for a night of fine meals, nice dialog, sharing warfare tales, tons and plenty of laughter, and luxury.