John Mittelstaedt

John was born in Yankton, South Dakota on October 3, 1963. He graduated from East High School in Lincoln, NE, earned a bachelor’s degree in religion and physics from St. Olaf College, a master of theological studies from Harvard University and a doctorate in marketing from the University of Iowa.

John met the love of his life Patrice Noel through the University of Iowa Sailing Club while he was completing his doctorate. They married on May 7, 1994. Together they had two children, Matthew and Marlow, who were the center of his world.

John had the privilege of serving as the Dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Dayton. It was his dream job. Prior to the University of Dayton, he taught Marketing and served in administrative roles at the University of Wyoming and Clemson University. John was an accomplished and award-winning scholar and his research focused on macromarketing, sustainability, religion, markets and international trade. As John pursued administrative opportunities, he continued to teach and conduct research. To say that John loved to teach and impact the lives of young people would be an understatement. Some of his greatest joys came from mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

John also loved spending time with his family, coaching youth sports, biking, fishing, exploring National Parks, painting, cooking and grilling, drinking fine wine and microbrews, working word puzzles/sudoku, reading CJ Box novels, and cheering on his favorite teams: Flyers, Lumberjacks, Tigers, Hawkeyes, Huskers, Fighting Irish and Pokes. John was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed serving in various scouting roles. He will be remembered for his big and generous heart, warm smile, amazing storytelling, love of learning, command of random facts, wonderful sense of humor, and his ability to rock wearing socks with sandals.

He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

John’s faith could be summarized by Micah 6:8 (NIV). “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

John is survived by his wife Patrice Noel, children Matthew and Marlow Mittelstaedt, parents Robert and Venita (nee Flathers) Mittelstaedt, sister Mary Mittelstaedt Mann, father-in-law Lee Noel, sister-in-law Beth Noel, brother-in-law Mike (Mary) Noel, sister-in-law MaryLee (John) Williams, nieces and nephews Meredith and Morgan Mann, Lee, Drew, Louis, Todd (Emily), and Kate Noel, Hilliary (Brad) Lukes, and John Williams, great nephew Ryne Lukes, great niece Addison Lukes, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. John was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Mary Noel and brother-in-law Steve Noel.

The Mass of Christian Burial for John Mittelstaedt will be a private family ceremony held on Monday, December 14 at 11:00 am. The Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Dean John Mittelstaedt Memorial Scholarship being established at the University of Dayton. Care entrusted to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com