John Dillman

Nov 3, 1944 -

Apr 24, 2022

John Dillman was born in Yreka, Calif., to Bob Dillman and LaVerne Timmons. His father died in a vehicle accident in 1951. His mother remarried in 1954, and the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where John and his brother Jim enjoyed a childhood full of adventure. He graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1962. John joined the U.S. Army in 1964, and after basic and airborne training, was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group Airborne in Vietnam.

After discharge in July 1967, John returned to Alaska. He graduated from Alaska Methodist University in 1973 with a degree in business and economics. In 1974, John began a 38-year career in real estate appraisal. He was a member of the Appraisal Institute and served as Chapter Presidents in both Alaska and Idaho. Upon the death of his wife Sally in 1993, John relocated to Oregon, and two years later to Boise, Idaho, where he died on a bike ride on a sunny day.

John had an early passion for mountains and in later years for rivers. He began climbing in 1960 with the Mountaineering Club of Alaska. He was an avid alpine and backcountry skier and an early advocate of telemark skiing.

In 2011, John was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, attributed to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Reluctantly giving up skiing and mountain biking, he paddled kayaks and packrafts on rivers in Utah, Oregon, Arizona, and Idaho, as well as exercising daily to "Delay the Disease." He had story after story that started in disaster and ended in heroics, and vice-versa.

In 2020, he was welcomed into Elena Dryer's family; they took wonderful care of him when he needed it most.

He is survived by his brother, Jim Dillman; sister-in-law, Sandie Braden; beloved niece, Krystal Dillman; as well as many many friends who will miss his warmth, generosity, crazy mountaineering stories and his eagerness to share a laugh.

Per John's wishes, no service will be held, but his ashes will be scattered in late May 2022. Please visit his Facebook page for details. If you shared John's love of the outdoors, please consider donating to Ridge to Rivers, https://www.ridgetorivers.org.