John Abbott Widmer

John Abbott Widmer passed away on June 3, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. John was born on November 23, 1949 in Glenview, Illinois. After high school he traveled throughout the USA, and resided for a period in Haight Ashbury during the late 60’s, and other areas of San Francisco. He eventually settled permanently in Santa Barbara in 1997.

Over John’s life he traveled the world for business and pleasure. These experiences created the renaissance man we all knew and loved. John, who graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago, was a wonderfully gifted graphic artist, website designer, photographer, and created advertising campaigns and websites for many successful businesses. He exuded creativity, intelligence, laughter, intrigue in conversation, and most of all “love”. He lived life to the fullest and with a surreal level of energy that was contagious.

John will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol, stepchildren Taylor and Alyssa, mother Ruth Whitchurch, mother-in-law Francesca Koelman, his brothers Skip and Steve, sisters Vickie and Beth Leonard, and nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations to support dance scholarships be sent to Santa Barbara Dance Arts, The Arts Mentor Program/Scholarship, 1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103.