Skip (John) Meinhart

John “Skip” W. Meinhart died May 1, 2019 at 3:14 p.m., aged 68, from complications of salivary gland cancer. Skip was born December 19, 1950, to William J. and Rosemary Grause Meinhart. He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Chris. In addition to his mother, Skip is survived by brother William J. Meinhart Jr. (Dorin); sister Jenny Ruth Tankersley (Ken); and his life partner of 35 years, Claire Darley. 

Skip, a native of Cincinnati, attended the Kirby Road School and Schwab Middle School, graduating in 1969 from Quarter Technical High School, followed by an internship in surveying. He also worked at a greenware shop, where he learned the process of mold making and became a ceramicist, working at The Pottery in Clifton, 1973-74. In 1976 he opened his own shop, Stoneware Alley Pottery, 4036 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati OH and operated it until 1996. 

From the early 1980’s through the mid-1990’s, Skip made fireworks as a member of the award-winning Ohio Hot Shots and of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. He loved the natural world, and was deeply involved in the woodlands preservation group Northside Greenspace, Inc., putting in countless volunteer hours in the forest and on the board, and serving as president from 2012 to 2019, when he stepped down because of his illness.  

Skip was a restorationist, of woodland and home; a ceramicist, designer, draughtsman, craftsman (metal preferred), handyman (in all trades), inventor (“best by test”), observer and mentor, generous with his knowledge and wisdom. A marvelous man of exquisite integrity. 

Donations, in honor of Skip, may be made to Northside Greenspace, Inc., P.O. Box 23306, Cincinnati, OH 45223

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