Obituaries
Dr. John Alfred Teske, 70
June 21, 2024
Dr. John Alfred Teske, 70, died on June 21, 2024, at his home in Mount Joy, PA. He was born on October 20, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Myron and Gloria Teske. John’s father, a Lutheran campus minister who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. at Selma, was his lifelong role model. John received his B.A. from Indiana University in 1974, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated magna cum laude. He earned his M.A. at Clark University in 1978, and his Ph.D. in 1981. John went on to teach at Clark University, as well as Dickinson College and Penn State University – Harrisburg. He taught at Elizabethtown College as a tenured full professor of psychology from 1998, until his retirement in 2017. He also served as psychology department chair at Elizabethtown College, received multiple senior merit awards there, and chaired and served on various committees.
A passionate and provocative teacher, Professor Teske’s lectures challenged the status quo and encouraged innovation. He was awarded many accolades and awards throughout his teaching career. His courses pushed students to consider important alternatives in their own psychological development, and many of his mentees went on to become leaders in their own fields.
In addition to teaching, John contributed to forty peer-reviewed articles, scholarly journals, and almost 100 presentations and panel appearances. Much of his work was focused on the relationship between religion and science. Articles were published in Zygon: The Journal of Religion and Science, and later on his blog, Neuromyth.com. John was especially involved in the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS), where he was elected and served as president and conference organizer.
Professional and personal travel took John across the Americas, portions of Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe, and as far afield as Cyprus, Turkey, India, and South Africa. He had a fondness for Spain and Costa Rica, and enjoyed visiting dear friends in both regions. Prior to his death, he was in the midst of planning an August 2024 trip, to give a presentation at a conference in Croatia. In recent years, he participated in many “Story Slams” in Lancaster and York counties, further exploring how our narratives help shape our lives.
John is survived by his brother Jim, his daughter Johanna (38) and sons Jacob (34) and Byron (8), numerous nieces and nephews, and many longtime friends, nationally and internationally. His brother Jeff passed away in 2022. Being an outstanding and devoted father to his son Byron was the major focus of his life during his last years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to www.iras.org, or Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.com). A private memorial for family and close friends will occur, and a larger celebration of life will be held in October.
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Condolences to the Family
October 19, 2024
I am shocked and greatly saddened by John’s death. He was so alive. He was present in a way that when he was in the room you knew he was there. He did not hide. He was a presence… and a contributor of minds, heart and spirit. His threads are woved deeply into the IRAS confrerences at Star Island. And he touch me deeply. I offer my thankfulness that I came to know him and my condolences to all who loved him. Ruben F.W. Nelson
August 04, 2024
John Teske will forever be one of my favorite college professors! He encouraged me to think deeply and challenge myself. He continued to check in years after graduation. It was an absolute pleasure to know him. Praying for God’s comfort for your family during this difficult time.
Kaybienne
July 16, 2024
I had Dr. Teske at Etown as well in 2002/2003 and, even though I realized I’m not so hot at Psycology, He still helped me and treated me so nice and so fair. I’m so sorry to the family for the loss, however, please be honored knowing he was such an inspiration for nearly TWO DECADES worth of us Elizabethtown College students who were lucky and blessed enough to have him. He’s probably changed more lives than we will ever know, but he DID follow in his fathers footsteps by doing so in a different manner. May he rest in Peace.
July 16, 2024
While attending this year’s IRAS (Institute on Religion in an Age of Science) conference on Star Island, where many of us first met John, we were taken aback at the news of John’s death. Talking with John could be entertaining, passionate, philosophical, humorous, introspective– often within a few sentences. I will miss him dearly, he was such a vital force in the world. Gone too soon. Your spirit lives on in IRAS, Teske. Godspeed
July 12, 2024
I only had Dr. Teske for one class when I attended Etown. But it was one of the most memorable classes I took in my 4 years as a Blue Jay. He was a very interesting professor who kept the class engaged with his energetic teaching style. I recall watching and analyzing the movie Memento as part of an assignment for his class. That was a fun assignment. Dr. Teske was a great professor, may he rest in peace!
Mike Rentschler
July 12, 2024
We had such a nice conversation lately, he was coming to Split (ECSR), something we were looking forward to since we had not seen each other for a long time. Both me and my husband are very sad about this news. John was a dear colleague of mine, but also a very dear true friend to both of us. He leaves us with many memories, from conferences and meetings to private engagements. He was such an intellectual, funny and honest person. We will miss him! But he will always be in our hearts.
Anne L.C. Runehov
July 08, 2024
Today, my best friend from Elizabethtown college, a fellow English major who also loved psychology classes at Etown, sent me the sad news about Dr. Teske. I must write a note here, but it will not feel like enough said.
He was a wonderful professor: I took his Intro to Psych class my freshman year in the fall of 1986 not knowning what to expect. He made the material interesting by becoming animated and bounding around the class. It was like his words kept him going, he just couldn’t wait to tell us about this subject with stories and connections from the reading material. He clearly enjoyed what he was teaching and wanted the students to share his fascination and understanding of it. I took as many of his classes as I could, while still majoring in English. One class, in particular, Mind and Brain, brought about profound discussions. It was the first time he taught this class, which he had created. Students had to apply to get into it. That made it even more interesting, knowing the other students were so vested.
He was very good at encouraging students. Once, when I wrote an op/ed article for the college newspaper, he commented on it by writing back in the paper. I coudn’t believe he had read my article and had taken the time to respond to it. This made me feel listened to and proud about writing it. After graduating, when I applied to grad school, he kindly wrote a recommendation. I think it might have made a difference to my acceptance.
Dr. Teske was a remarkable instructor, one of the best. He touched my life very much and I will never forget him. I feel so grateful for his instruction and encouragement.
With very sincere sympathy and prayers,
Mandy (Weaver) Meiler
July 08, 2024
I was involved with John for some years in connection with IRAS, the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, at annual conferences on Start Island and directors meetings. I am one of the many on whom he had a major influence. I will misds him greatly.
Edward (Chip) Ordman
July 08, 2024
Godspeed my friend! Many happy memories of European conferences from years past; we were not always the best behaved but we had a lot of fun. You are gone too soon!
Jim
July 07, 2024
I just want to express my sympathies to John’s family!
I am one of John’s cousins from Milwaukee. John’s father Mike was my father Mel’s twin brother. I have many good memories of spending time with John and his family when I was growing up; although they did not live in Milwaukee, we got together with them pretty regularly. I did not have many opportunities to see John as an adult; I think the last time I had an opportunity to catch up with him in person was at his mother Gloria’s celebration of life in Evanston a number of years ago. I think he was wearing a T-shirt that read “Consummatim est” (it is finished). May he rest in peace!
Andy Teske
