JOHN LIEBHART PFUND

August 31, 1943 – February 14, 2025

John Liebhart Pfund was born in Alton, Illinois on August 31, 1943, to Leroy and Mabel Pfund. His father's great-grandparents immigrated from Switzerland, and his mother's great-grandparents immigrated from Sweden. He was very close to his grandparents, John and Hilda (Lundbom) Tillman and Liebhart and Helen (Turner) Pfund.  His early years were spent in Elmhurst, Illinois until he moved to Wheaton, Illinois in 1949 and attended Holmes Elementary School.

John's father was a professional baseball player and a college baseball and basketball coach.  John deeply admired his father and cherished the moments watching him pitch in the minor leagues and attending college games.  Inspired by his father's legacy, John became a gifted athlete and a talented pitcher.  He led both his Little League and Pony League teams to championship victories, showcasing his natural athleticism and leadership skills.

As a young man, John worked for his grandfather at Pfund's Nursery and Pfund and Clint Florist.  During high school, he was actively involved in the Youth Group at College Church in Wheaton and spent several memorable summers at Camp Willabay in Williams Bay on Lake Geneva.  He graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1961, excelling as an honor student and a student government leader.  On the basketball court, he was called "Jumping Johnny", scoring an impressive 38 points in a crucial sectional game against highly ranked Geneva High School.  His brothers, Kerry and Randy, followed him to Wheaton College, and all three Pfund boys were coached by their father in basketball and baseball.

At Wheaton College, John earned the esteemed title of small college basketball All-American in 1965.  He had multiple standout performances, including a game where he scored 40 points, cementing his status as one of the college's all-time scoring leaders.  His dedication and passion for basketball left a lasting impact on his teammates and coaches. He graduated from Wheaton College with a BA degree in 1965.

After college, he married Gloria Skonberg and pursued a master's degree at Northern Illinois University while working at Gaede's Men's Clothing Store and selling Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. He was also part of the ROTC program at Wheaton College, which led him to enter the U.S. Army in 1969.  Stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco before deploying to Vietnam from 1970 to 1971, John served with honor and distinction.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.  While serving, he played on the All-Army Basketball Team under legendary coach Hal Fischer, competing alongside future ABA and NBA players Darnell Hillman and Garfield Smith.

Following his military service, John settled in San Diego, where he built lifelong friendships and established himself in the real estate industry.  In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles to work for Bank of America.  In 1977, he married Ann Baldwin, and they made their home in Pasadena and San Dimas, California.

John's love for music blossomed in the 1970's, and he became an avid collector of over 1500 albums spanning folk, pop, and rock and roll.  He attended concerts by legendary artists such as Peter Paul and Mary, the Beach Boys, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, and Joni Mitchell, fueling his lifelong passion for music.

John was a devoted NFL fan and spent over a decade watching Monday Night Football with his close friends, Ned and Bonnie Miller.  He also found excitement in horse racing, with Del Mar Racetrack being his favorite venue, and Freehouse remaining his favorite horse.

John lived in Cosa Mesa for several years.  One of his friend's grandkids described John as "gentle, patient, and most surprisingly, interested in me".

In the 1990's, John transitioned into residential real estate appraisals before later doing V.A. appraisals, where he found fulfillment in serving fellow veterans.  He had a profound appreciation for nature and enjoyed fishing, particularly in northern Wisconsin.  Animals held a special place in his heart, especially his beloved schnauzer, Zephyr, and his cherished cat, Toby.  His fondness for giraffes was evident in his home, which was adorned with giraffe pictures and collectibles.

He later moved to Irvine, California, where he made many friends, and enjoyed his relationship with Connee Hanley, and her kids and grandkids.

John is survived by his brothers, Kerry (Carol) W. Pfund and Randall C. Pfund, as well as his longtime girlfriend, Connee Hanley.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A reception will be held at the Marriott in Naperville, 1801 N Naper Blvd, Naperville, IL 60563, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a time of reflection to begin at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be directed to Cosley Zoo in Wheaton, honoring John's lifelong love for animals and children.