John (Hans) Dirnhofer died unexpectedly — despite his age (90) and optimistic nature — in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 5, 2013 of natural causes.

He was born Jan. 14, 1923 in Bavaria, Germany. John immigrated to Canada in 1953 and then to the United States in 1959 where he lived in California for most of his life. He had many stories to tell from his varied life: from his apprenticeship in Munich where he trained as an engineer, to his service as a Luftwaffe fighter pilot in the European Theater, to his roots as ski patrol and custom officer in the Bavarian Alps of Germany after WW II.

After immigrating to the United States, John started building and living the American Dream. He worked as a partner and project manager with WEBCOR Builders in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He inspired generations of engineers, pilots, skiers and a wide variety of friends who admired his daily bicycling around Donner Lake and enjoyed his company at Wild Cherries Coffee House in Truckee. He was most kind and determined. His achieved freedom in America meant the world to him.

John is survived by his dear wife of 65 years, Irmgard (Irmi), with whom he discovered their beloved Truckee, in the State of California, literally after searching for years for the best climate and skiing area in the United States. He is also survived by Ulrich (Ulli) & Lydia Luenemann of Sacramento, Calif., and Mary and Kip Trexel of Orinda, Calif., as well as Martl, Anni and Thomas Reif and Peter, Franziska, Niko, Katharina, and Veronika Voss of Grainau, Germany.

A celebration of life for John will be held on Saturday, March 2, in Truckee, Calif. Additional information will be announced soon.