John Otto Siemssen

John O. Siemssen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his immediate family on March 23, 2022 at the age of 76 after a long courageous battle with a disabling illness. He was the son of German immigrants, and was born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, N.Y. John obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University, followed by a Master of Science degree in the same field from the University of Florida, where he met his future wife, Janet. Later he earned a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Houston. He had a very long and rewarding career.

John was an honest and unassuming man. He was optimistic, kind, generous and always willing to share his knowledge. His interests were numerous and varied. He was a steadfast runner of many decades and ran in the Chicago marathon. But he was most passionate about gardening, nature, Texas history, his German heritage and loved preparing creative meals for his family.

After retiring to the New Braunfels area, he avidly pursued his many interests. He was especially active in the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas for which he was a past president and author of numerous articles. His other volunteer efforts included such organizations as Texas Master Naturalists and the German Texan Heritage Society in Austin. He was in high demand as a public speaker for various groups and organizations on Texas nature, native plants and wild life habitats.

Throughout his life, John was a well traveled man. He loved to visit his family's homeland of Germany and surrounding countries to visit cousins. But later in life his favorite destinations were in Texas, especially West Texas and the Big Bend National Park area where he loved exploring and photographing the diverse species of desert plants.

He was the cherished husband of his surviving wife, Janet of 53 years; a much beloved father of two adult children, John and Karen, and proud Opa of two grandchildren. He is also survived by daughter-in law Teresa, brothers-in-law, Roy and Ray Hamlin, son-in-law, Rolando Diaz, nieces and nephews in Florida, and family in Germany. John was the north star for his family and is greatly missed...

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Native Plant Society of Texas at https://npsot.org/wp/make-a-donation-2/