John "Spanke" Studer
John “Spanke” Studer was born in Beattie, Kansas on April 10, 1955 to Ted and Margaret Studer, and died peacefully at his home on Oct. 31, at the age of 56.
Studer was an active member of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, volunteering his services as a docent as well as in the church’s baking ministry.
He was also well known for his significant contributions to AIDS Services of Dallas. According ASD’s President and CEO Don Maison, Studer served on the agency’s board for several years and over the past 20 years he catered and hosted Spanke’s Toilet Paper Parties, collecting thousands and thousands of rolls of toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap and other personal items ASD residents and raising between $2,000 to $5,000 twice each year throughout that time.
Studer also served on the boards of of the Dallas Bears, Texas Bear Association and the Resource Center Dallas. In June, Dallas Bears named him Bear of the Year in recognition of his years of service to the community and his work in this year’s successful Texas Bear Round-Up.
He touched the lives of many friends and all who knew him understood he had a heart as big as the gentle man he was.
A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road, on Friday Nov. 4 at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to AIDS Services of Dallas
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 4, 2011.
Rest in peace my sweet Sugar Bear. These words describe Spanke’s life and his dedication to others: What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. (Albert Pine)
Great picture of a great guy. Spanke touched the lives of many, many folks; the world is better for having known him.
He was a Great Friend and a Super Human- He will be missed RIP My friend – D
What a wonderful guy you were, Spanke. You will be sorely missed by many. If Heaven has an Amsterdam let’s meet up at Coffeeshop the Otherside. I’m going to miss you so much!!!
Hello Spanke, I met him years ago when he worker at the crew’s Inn , He was allways friendly and He made the BEST CHESSE CAKES IN OAKLAWN . my he rest in peace till we met again Gay Friend.