John Sheppard Kobacker

John S. Kobacker, businessman and philanthropist, of Columbus, OH, died Wednesday, January 3, at Kobacker House at the age of 72, leaving behind his devoted wife of 47 years, Catherine and son, James of New York; and a wide circle of friends, neighbors, and business associates.

John was born in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Lenore Wolff and Marvin S. Kobacker. John was a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School and The Ohio State University, where he majored in Business before attending the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY. Here, John met Cathe Chapin, originally from Buffalo, NY, a kindred spirit who shared John's love of photography, which eventually led them to collecting photographs. John and Cathe were married in 1976 in Wiscasset, Maine.

While living in Rochester, John took a job at a plant store where he caught the retail bug, leading him to join the family business, Kobacker Co., a Columbus-based shoe company started in 1960. John was instrumental in helping grow the company and spearheaded its sale in 1994. John then moved into managing a family business of which he was president and CEO until his death. John was a member of YPO and later WPO.

John's business pursuits were only one facet of his personality. John had an amateur pilot's license and wanted to be a commercial pilot but could not because of his eyesight. He loved to travel and managed to visit all seven continents. In recent years, John enjoyed gardening and shared his tomatoes and home-made garlic powder with friends and neighbors.

John was also very well known for his philanthropy. Having grown up in a generous Toledo family, John was well suited to community engagement. Over his lifetime, John served on the boards of The Wexner Center Foundation, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, COSI, Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Nationwide Children's Hospital Development Board, board member and President of Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club, and Columbus College of Art and Design, which honored John and Cathe with the Spirit of Denny Griffith Award in 2018.

John was devoted to his wife, Cathe and son, James, who survive him; as do his brother, Jeffrey Kobacker (Carmen) of Mesa, AZ; sister, Nan Kobacker (Guy de Laubadere) of Miami, FL; brothers-in-law, E. Barton Chapin III (Lucy Hull) of Arrowsic, ME, and Thomas Melville Chapin (Geeta Badkar) of Los Angeles, CA; and 18 nieces and nephews, four grandnephews and three grand-nieces.

The family will be holding a private burial at Greenlawn Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of details.