John James Hefferren
Share
John James Hefferren
Born August 12, 1928 – Passed February 23, 2017
John James Hefferren, husband of Sandra Ann Mancewicz, Lawrence, Kansas
Father of Anne Walsh Hefferren Manske and her husband Jonathan Manske, Grandfather of Sabine Sahara Manske, Littleton, Colorado; Father of Aileen Carol Hefferren and her husband Charles Harkless, Grandfather of Owen Waller and Perry Rex Hefferren-Harkless, Harlem, New York; Father of Neal Richard Hefferren, Grandfather of Patrick John and Finnegan James Hefferren, Kansas City, Missouri; and Father of Clare Jean Hefferren of Vail, Colorado.
Brother-in-law of Thomas A. Mancewicz and Barbara Jean Zachek Mancewicz, Detroit, Michigan and Uncle of Mary Susan Mancewicz Simpson and her husband Nick Simpson and their daughter Miranda Simpson, Woodland, Colorado; Uncle of Joseph Paul Mancewicz and his wife Richelle Veale Mancewicz and their children Evan and Cole Mancewicz, Los Angeles, California; Uncle of Martha Mancewicz Timmer and her husband Jeff Timmer and their children Sophie Anne and David Timmer, Culver City, California; and Uncle of Mark Mancewicz of Los Angeles, California.
John J. Hefferren was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Grammar School and De La Salle High School, both in Chicago. He received a BS Degree in Chemistry from Loyola University in Chicago and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. At the University of Wisconsin, he, along with Robert Hull, was the first graduate student with an undergraduate Chemistry major admitted to the School of Pharmacy. Other graduate students with undergraduate Chemistry majors from Loyola and other universities then followed their admission into the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Program at the University of Wisconsin, which grew to one of the major research and education pharmaceutics centers in the world.
He married Sandra Ann Mancewicz on August 6, 1965 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC. They lived in Chicago and then Evanston, Illinois where they raised their four children until June 1987 when they moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Their daughter Anne obtained a BS in Psychology from the University of Florida, Gainesville. Aileen graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, having spent her third year at the London School of Economics. Neal obtained a BA in English from the University of Kansas and a degree in law from the University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign. Clare earned a BA in Sociology from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, John Hefferren joined the Laboratory of the Council of Drugs of the American Medical Association in 1953. Three years later, he joined the American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics as Director of the Laboratory. He continued with the ADA through 1985, concluding his tenure with 15 years as Director of the Research Institute of the American Dental Association. In parallel with the American Dental Association, he held a number of appointments including Professor of Oral Biology at Northwestern University Schools of Dentistry and Medicine.
In 1987, he moved with his family from Chicago to Lawrence, Kansas as President of Odontex, Inc., an incubator company started by Professor Takeru Higuchi with the University of Kansas. At KU, Dr. Hefferren had appointments with the Higuchi Bioscience Center and the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. He worked with Professor Howard Rytting at the University of Kansas who focused on the oral metabolism and drug delivery in humans and animals. These studies were done in collaboration with a number of universities, including the College of Chemistry and Health Science Center of Peking University, Beijing, China. He also consulted extensively with Colgate-Palmolive and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center on scientific matters. Even in his later years, he still travelled internationally to advance the standards of oral science.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at 2 at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his name to LINK Unlimited Scholars ~ Chicago, IL and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
John truly meant a lot to me. He was so much more than a professional collaborator. He was a true friend.
With heartfelt sympathy
Tilo Poth
John truly meant a lot to me. He was so much more than a professional collaborator. He was a true friend.
With heartfelt sympathy
Tilo Poth
For sure, my very best friend. Dr. Hefferren was always caring and loving. He always thought of others first. My family and I will miss him dearly. You lived a full life with many blessings and accomplishments. May you rest in peace.
For sure, my very best friend. Dr. Hefferren was always caring and loving. He always thought of others first. My family and I will miss him dearly. You lived a full life with many blessings and accomplishments. May you rest in peace.
John was a loved friend and mentor. He shared his life with everyone around him, always with a twinkle in his eye for those teachable moments. He blessed my life in many ways and I am forever grateful. Rest in peace with your beloved Sandra.
Dr. Hefferren is a father-like person and is just like a member of our family. He mentored, cared and helped us for years.
You’re not around, but your memories still remain captured in our hearts. May you rest in peace.
Dr. Hefferren taught me so much, believed in and encouraged me to continue my dreams and helped develop my career. He had been a huge part of my life over the last 24 years by being a mentor, leader, educator, scientist and most of all a friend. He impacted both the human and veterinary dentistry over his vast career. Rest In Peace Dr. John Hefferren.
Dr. Hefferren was truly one of a kind. It was not only a great privilege to work with him but to be his friend. He was eager to share his vast knowledge and always pushed those around him to do their best. He had a major impact on our family and will be missed every day. Rest in peace Dr. Hefferren.
It was my honor to be associated with Dr. Hefferren at ADA Research Institute in Chicago and more importantly, a ligelong friend. I will miss his wisdom and cordial friendship. He was a wonderful, down-to-earth family man and a brilliant scientist, especially in dental biology and nutrition. May his soul rest in peace.
It was my honor to be associated with Dr. Hefferren at ADA Research Institute in Chicago and more importantly, a ligelong friend. I will miss his wisdom and cordial friendship. He was a wonderful, down-to-earth family man and a brilliant scientist, especially in dental biology and nutrition. May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Hefferren was a very special friend. We still remember his image of cheerful and bright face. He will always be in our memories and hearts.
May you rest in peace.
Dr. Hefferren was a very special friend. We still remember his image of cheerful and bright face. He will always be in our memories and hearts.
May you rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to Aileen and family. John was very accomplished in his field, a genuinely nice and loving person.
My sincere condolences to Aileen and family. John was very accomplished in his field, a genuinely nice and loving person.
I was working with John for many years. He was a real character and it was a pleasure to work with him. I truly remember the discussions and conversations we had.
I will miss him
Addi P
I was working with John for many years. He was a real character and it was a pleasure to work with him. I truly remember the discussions and conversations we had.
I will miss him
Addi P
John was the youngest thinking scientist that we have had the pleasure to meet and work along side of. He was wise beyond years, a quick study on new and different approaches to problem solving, and a Jesuit in heart and mind. Kind and considerate, always willing to drive cross country or hop a plane to advance a project or share in a discussion. Amazing energy that will be missed, but his memory will remind us that life continues and age should not define that life. Rest in peace, John. You did well.
David and Joyce
John was the youngest thinking scientist that we have had the pleasure to meet and work along side of. He was wise beyond years, a quick study on new and different approaches to problem solving, and a Jesuit in heart and mind. Kind and considerate, always willing to drive cross country or hop a plane to advance a project or share in a discussion. Amazing energy that will be missed, but his memory will remind us that life continues and age should not define that life. Rest in peace, John. You did well.
David and Joyce
John was a friend, colleague and mentor. I feel blessed to have known him and will forever cherish the great memories. His positive, “can do” approach to ANY problem was unmatched by anyone I have ever known. “Active” seems so inadequate of a word to convey how he stayed involved and motivated searching for answers and solutions to the very end. He was a testament to “til death do us part” in his love and caring for Sandra. May they now start their next adventure together.
Calling Dr. Hefferren just a mentor or role model would be an understatement. I feel that his impact on my life is what set the stage for my future – he was always thoughtful, always caring, and had an irreplaceable sense of humor. I will never forget the great moments we shared together.
It was a pleasure working with John.
Not only was he an expert in his field, he was full of life and enthusiasm about science and learning about new things.
May he rest in peace,
–Jeanne
It was a pleasure working with John.
Not only was he an expert in his field, he was full of life and enthusiasm about science and learning about new things.
May he rest in peace,
–Jeanne
I met Dr. Hefferren at the UMKC Dental Library where he used to come in and look for information. I sometimes helped him via phone too. He always had something new to teach me and he was such a kind soul. I will truly miss his visits.
Nancy Bond
I met Dr. Hefferren at the UMKC Dental Library where he used to come in and look for information. I sometimes helped him via phone too. He always had something new to teach me and he was such a kind soul. I will truly miss his visits.
Nancy Bond
I had the great pleasure to work with John on a number of projects over the past decade. I can only imagine the impact that he made on those lives fortunate enough to have worked with him more often than I.
I enjoyed his wit and playful banter as well as his deep knowledge. We shared many a conversation over “creme-pie” here in Sabetha and I’ll look back on those conversations with fond remembrance.
John was an extra special person whom I admired greatly. He had a huge intellect mixed with a healthy sense of humor. He will surely be missed.
John was an extra special person whom I admired greatly. He had a huge intellect mixed with a healthy sense of humor. He will surely be missed.
I met Dr. Hefferren through a chance encounter over a beer (or two) at a business networking function in Lawrence. He was such an interesting character and we hit it off well. He took an immediate interest in my abilities and career possibilities and introduced me to a company that led to my current career path. We also spent time trying to figure out how to kick-start one of his interesting ideas in the area of reducing gingivitis in the developing world. He was certainly a very interesting man with a mischievous sparkle in his eye who thought anything was possible. I can see from other posts that he had a similar impact on many other people…that’s remarkable. He’ll be remembered often and missed always.
John was a very good friend and I will miss him. We talked on many occasions and had some scientific interactions.
May the Lord bless his family to know he was such a good and caring man.
For his last 13 years, Dr. Hefferren had been a member of our family. We went to Carrabin cruise together, we visited each other often, having brunch on deck, and we even took care of our family friend, Beauregard, a German shepherd, until he passed away peacefully. It has so much to be remembered for our friendship. Whenever we need help, Dr. Hefferren was always reachable. He will be remembered forever.
Rest in Peace!
For his last 13 years, Dr. Hefferren had been a member of our family. We went to Carrabin cruise together, we visited each other often, having brunch on deck, and we even took care of our family friend, Beauregard, a German shepherd, until he passed away peacefully. It has so much to be remembered for our friendship. Whenever we need help, Dr. Hefferren was always reachable. He will be remembered forever.
Rest in Peace!
John’s enthusiasm for the advancement of science and his willingness to share his expertise were inspiration. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed.
John’s enthusiasm for the advancement of science and his willingness to share his expertise were inspiration. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed.
Dr. Hefferren was extremely special person. He always helped and cared all of us. We will never forget him. He will always be missed.
Rest in peace Dr. Hefferren
Dr. Hefferren was extremely special person. He always helped and cared all of us. We will never forget him. He will always be missed.
Rest in peace Dr. Hefferren
If it hadn’t been for John I might still be trying to get through my first organic chemistry class almost 65 years ago. Thanks John.
John was a good friend. We always enjoyed conversation related to
medicine. We worked on some project together. So sorry to see of his passing.
Newton
John was a good friend. We always enjoyed conversation related to
medicine. We worked on some project together. So sorry to see of his passing.
Newton
Dr Hefferren is a father-like friend to us. We will remember forever the joyful conversations, time and dinners we had with him in Campfire and Eldridge. We are so grateful for his love, providing an opportunity to our son YangYang to work with him in his lab, serving as judge for YangYang’s debates,watching our son Richard’s baseball games and giving Richard many many car models.
John, we really miss you! May you Rest In Peace.
Dear Ladies,
Dear Sir,
your father influenced and even guided parts of my professional life for nearly fifteen years. I met him first on a Dental ISO Conference in San Francisco in 1996, he the scientist, I the industrial chemist. I saw him last at Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2008, another Dental ISO Conference. Within this span we met several times – even often – either in the US or in several European countries, or at ISO conferences wherever they were.
He knew that I love Chicago architecture. Therefore I had the privilege that he gave me a book of the fifties showing Chicago at that time. It was a legacy of his wife.
With a time difference of seven hours between Germany Kansas 5 – 7 p.m. is mid-night in Germany. Therefore I have commemorated him at my home yesterday sev-eral hours in advance.
Yours faithfully
Arnold Storeck
Dear Ladies,
Dear Sir,
your father influenced and even guided parts of my professional life for nearly fifteen years. I met him first on a Dental ISO Conference in San Francisco in 1996, he the scientist, I the industrial chemist. I saw him last at Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2008, another Dental ISO Conference. Within this span we met several times – even often – either in the US or in several European countries, or at ISO conferences wherever they were.
He knew that I love Chicago architecture. Therefore I had the privilege that he gave me a book of the fifties showing Chicago at that time. It was a legacy of his wife.
With a time difference of seven hours between Germany Kansas 5 – 7 p.m. is mid-night in Germany. Therefore I have commemorated him at my home yesterday sev-eral hours in advance.
Yours faithfully
Arnold Storeck
John was Director of the ADA Research Institute when I joined the ADA. He provided me the opportunity and guidance to start my 37 year career there. He was an outstanding researcher, a great leader and most of all, a wonderful person.
John was Director of the ADA Research Institute when I joined the ADA. He provided me the opportunity and guidance to start my 37 year career there. He was an outstanding researcher, a great leader and most of all, a wonderful person.
Our sincere condolences. John was a colleague, friend and above all a mentor. He was the most unassuming of people with a mischievous sense of humor and a considerable intellect. His selfless nature was such that when being qualified, in front of a Federal Judge, as an expert witness for a court case, he frustrated the lawyers by declaring “it is not just me that did all this work, there is a whole team of people”. John, we will miss you.
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to John’s family. John worked together with my late husband, Dr. Peter Wülknitz, who headed the Dental Department at Henkel. It was our privilege knowing both John and Sandra, who were outstanding persons in every possible way. I will remember them as dear friends.
I am deeply greatful to John’s moral support after my late husbands death in 2005.
I wish John’s family the strength to cope with this great loss.
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to John’s family. John worked together with my late husband, Dr. Peter Wülknitz, who headed the Dental Department at Henkel. It was our privilege knowing both John and Sandra, who were outstanding persons in every possible way. I will remember them as dear friends.
I am deeply greatful to John’s moral support after my late husbands death in 2005.
I wish John’s family the strength to cope with this great loss.
Dear family,
Please receive my condolences at the passing of John. He was a very well respected colleague in our field and became a personal friend over the period of 30 years that we knew each other.
His work contributed to health in our society.
Respectfully yours,
Bob ten Cate
Dear family,
Please receive my condolences at the passing of John. He was a very well respected colleague in our field and became a personal friend over the period of 30 years that we knew each other.
His work contributed to health in our society.
Respectfully yours,
Bob ten Cate
If it hadn’t been for Dr. Hefferren (I still can’t call him “John”) , I would never had the opportunity to switch careers and collaborate with so many talented and interesting scientists. He was exceptionally patient when I was completely learning on the job—the job he gave me. He was an extraordinarily generous person and will be missed.
Dr. Hefferren was widely respected and influential. He will be missed.
Dr. Hefferren was widely respected and influential. He will be missed.
The short time that I knew John, we became friends very quickly. He had such a great sense of humor, and our time spent together was full of sarcasm and wisecracking. He would often call just to see how I was doing and invite me to his lab so we could just hang out and chat.
He was very cheerful and he loved his research. I appreciate the time I spent with him and I will miss him. My best wishes to his family… Rest In Piece my friend…
The short time that I knew John, we became friends very quickly. He had such a great sense of humor, and our time spent together was full of sarcasm and wisecracking. He would often call just to see how I was doing and invite me to his lab so we could just hang out and chat.
He was very cheerful and he loved his research. I appreciate the time I spent with him and I will miss him. My best wishes to his family… Rest In Piece my friend…
I was so sad to hear of John’s passing. He meant so much to my family. I let my father , John Pavlak, know. He and my mother send their love and heart felt condolences. Please forgive the tardiness it is all my fault. My mother is in hospital again and I have become absent minded. I have such fond memories of John visiting WI. He was such a kind person and good with all generations. Even my daughter, Kaitlyn (17), remembers his visits. And then if course there are all of Dad’s old stories when they were young in Madison, but those are for dad to tell
I was so sad to hear of John’s passing. He meant so much to my family. I let my father , John Pavlak, know. He and my mother send their love and heart felt condolences. Please forgive the tardiness it is all my fault. My mother is in hospital again and I have become absent minded. I have such fond memories of John visiting WI. He was such a kind person and good with all generations. Even my daughter, Kaitlyn (17), remembers his visits. And then if course there are all of Dad’s old stories when they were young in Madison, but those are for dad to tell