John Sherman RIP

1 hour ago, 3331 said:

Hi 3331,

Every time I met John, I always walked away thinking, 'What a nice guy.'

He definitely made his mark in the parachute industry.

Sad,

Jerry Baumchen

I was Lucky enough to meet him on a Couple occasions. I concur he was a really nice guy!

Rodger

Saddened to hear this.  I got to spend some great moments with Sherm in the attic of  the Jump Shack back in '78.  That was the get-away spot while the Racers were being assembled downstairs.  

R.I.P. John.  
Sigh.  

At one of the past Symposium banquets, I was sitting at the same table as John and Nancy.  I told John a couple of skydiving related jokes and and he was laughing pretty hard.  He was a good guy and will be missed.

If there is a memorial, someone please post the date.

Parachute Industry Association's Post

John Sherman, a significant figure in the world of skydiving and a cherished member of the community, passed away at 85. Renowned for his contributions to the sport, John played a crucial role in advancing skydiving technology and safety.

John's skydiving journey was defined by his unwavering dedication to enhancing the sport. As the founder of Jump Shack, he created the acclaimed Racer canopy system, setting new benchmarks for safety and reliability. This innovative system has earned widespread respect and use within the skydiving community.

Beyond his technical achievements, John was celebrated for the deep bonds he formed within the community. Friends and fellow skydivers often commemorated his milestones, reflecting on their shared adventures and the lasting impact he had on their lives.

John Sherman's legacy endures through the numerous skydivers who rely on the systems he developed and the safety standards he championed. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him and by the many who benefit from his life's work.

1 hour ago, 3331 said:

 

Parachute Industry Association's Post

John Sherman, a significant figure in the world of skydiving and a cherished member of the community, passed away at 85. Renowned for his contributions to the sport, John played a crucial role in advancing skydiving technology and safety.

John's skydiving journey was defined by his unwavering dedication to enhancing the sport. As the founder of Jump Shack, he created the acclaimed Racer canopy system, setting new benchmarks for safety and reliability. This innovative system has earned widespread respect and use within the skydiving community.

Beyond his technical achievements, John was celebrated for the deep bonds he formed within the community. Friends and fellow skydivers often commemorated his milestones, reflecting on their shared adventures and the lasting impact he had on their lives.

John Sherman's legacy endures through the numerous skydivers who rely on the systems he developed and the safety standards he championed. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him and by the many who benefit from his life's work.

Hi Steve,

Re:  he created the acclaimed Racer canopy system

Looks like some whuffo at PIA.

Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks,

A young John Sherman:

From The Parachute Manual,

Jerry Baumchen

John Sherman Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 9, 2024.

Skydiving Pioneer, Innovator Dies at 85

Skydiving legend John Berry Sherman (born Engle) was born February 1939 in Chicago to John E Engle, GM engineer, toolmaker and turkey farmer and Sara Jo Berry (Sherman), NBC fashion editor and radio personality. He was raised first on his father's turkey farm before moving to live with his maternal grandparents in Monterey, TN and eventually to North Attleboro, MA. He joined the Army in 1957, serving in Germany as one of the Army's first LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) for nuclear target acquisitions. There, he made his first parachute jump in 1958.

He attended Tennessee Technical University to study engineering but soon found himself engrossed in the folk music scene of Nashville, leading to a stint as a folk musician. An accomplished guitarist, John made his way out to LA in 1961, rubbing noses with budding folk artists such as David Crosby, Peter Paul & Mary, The Kingston Trio and The Smothers Brothers while living and working at a famous LA nightclub called The Troubadour. He met his first wife back in Nashville where they owned the first folk bar and venue called the Third Floor.

He eventually settled down in Michigan, working as an engineer for Chrysler Corporation. He was an early advocate for the turn to front-wheel-drive based architectures including his concept for what would eventually become the K-car-based minivan that Lee Iacocca introduced in 1984, a concept for which he was forever proud.

In the late 60's, he was reintroduced to skydiving and became obsessed, often leaving work on a Friday afternoon, driving overnight in his custom Dodge van to a weekend skydiving boogie to jump all weekend and hop back in his van and make it back to the office Monday morning.

Tired of jumping old, retired military equipment, as was common in the day and already being an accomplished parachute rigger, he began to experiment with equipment design. John invented the first modern "piggyback" harness/container system to be issued a single-unit certification by the FAA. It was dubbed the SST (Super Swooper Tandem, based on a nickname given to John by legend of the sport Ted Strong), which later became the Racer, revolutionizing the sport.

As a leader in the skydiving industry, he introduced new design concepts, such as the pull-out pilotchute, main riser covers, anti-line-strip deployment bags, Teflon cutaway cables, the anti-float bag and container concept, the first truly elliptical main parachute, first tandem system with a 3-point drogue release incorporated into the cutaway handle and countless other safety features that have been emulated by other parachute equipment manufacturers.

He was a founding member of the Parachute Industry Association, served as Technical Committee Chairman of the PIA, created the first PIA electronic bulletin board system, including the popular "rec.skydiving" forum on the Internet.

John was the first U.S. skydiving competitor to Medal in what was then, all of the disciplines of Speed Style, Accuracy and Relative Work, in National Competition. He was instrumental in introducing Relative Work as part of U.S. National Competition, having written the rules for the original 4-way event. He pioneered Ten-Way Speed Star techniques that are still in practice today, designed the first 3-Dimensional skydives, and was largely responsible for the successful design of the first 200 Way World Record Formation as well as many other monumental skydiving formations. John was meet director for the first Thanksgiving Day "10-Man" Meet in 1969, later the "Turkey Meet".

Notably, John has been a teacher and mentor to hundreds of riggers who now serve their skydiving communities around the world. He has trained some of the most successful riggers in the world. Virtually every major U.S. manufacturer has trained under Sherman or has consulted him to improve their products and processes.

1987 he started a new company called Decel and was awarded a grant to redesign the Mid-Air Refueling "Probe and Drogue" system used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force. John received a U.S. Patent, for the design, which was to become the NATO standard.

John lived many lives, more than most, and like a cat, survived many deaths including a car crash in 1964 where he died for six minutes, a plane crash, several parachute test-jumping incidents, a heart attack in 1990, a stroke in 2021, but ultimately met his match with a carton of milk (he loved milk) from McDonalds.

John is survived by his wife Nancy, sisters Patty, Marty & Judy, daughters Margaret (Chase), Eliza Beth (James), son Johnny and grandchildren Quela & Thomas.

29 minutes ago, 3331 said:

John Sherman Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 9, 2024.

Skydiving Pioneer, Innovator Dies at 85

Skydiving legend John Berry Sherman (born Engle) was born February 1939 in Chicago to John E Engle, GM engineer, toolmaker and turkey farmer and Sara Jo Berry (Sherman), NBC fashion editor and radio personality. He was raised first on his father's turkey farm before moving to live with his maternal grandparents in Monterey, TN and eventually to North Attleboro, MA. He joined the Army in 1957, serving in Germany as one of the Army's first LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) for nuclear target acquisitions. There, he made his first parachute jump in 1958.

He attended Tennessee Technical University to study engineering but soon found himself engrossed in the folk music scene of Nashville, leading to a stint as a folk musician. An accomplished guitarist, John made his way out to LA in 1961, rubbing noses with budding folk artists such as David Crosby, Peter Paul & Mary, The Kingston Trio and The Smothers Brothers while living and working at a famous LA nightclub called The Troubadour. He met his first wife back in Nashville where they owned the first folk bar and venue called the Third Floor.

He eventually settled down in Michigan, working as an engineer for Chrysler Corporation. He was an early advocate for the turn to front-wheel-drive based architectures including his concept for what would eventually become the K-car-based minivan that Lee Iacocca introduced in 1984, a concept for which he was forever proud.

In the late 60's, he was reintroduced to skydiving and became obsessed, often leaving work on a Friday afternoon, driving overnight in his custom Dodge van to a weekend skydiving boogie to jump all weekend and hop back in his van and make it back to the office Monday morning.

Tired of jumping old, retired military equipment, as was common in the day and already being an accomplished parachute rigger, he began to experiment with equipment design. John invented the first modern "piggyback" harness/container system to be issued a single-unit certification by the FAA. It was dubbed the SST (Super Swooper Tandem, based on a nickname given to John by legend of the sport Ted Strong), which later became the Racer, revolutionizing the sport.

As a leader in the skydiving industry, he introduced new design concepts, such as the pull-out pilotchute, main riser covers, anti-line-strip deployment bags, Teflon cutaway cables, the anti-float bag and container concept, the first truly elliptical main parachute, first tandem system with a 3-point drogue release incorporated into the cutaway handle and countless other safety features that have been emulated by other parachute equipment manufacturers.

He was a founding member of the Parachute Industry Association, served as Technical Committee Chairman of the PIA, created the first PIA electronic bulletin board system, including the popular "rec.skydiving" forum on the Internet.

John was the first U.S. skydiving competitor to Medal in what was then, all of the disciplines of Speed Style, Accuracy and Relative Work, in National Competition. He was instrumental in introducing Relative Work as part of U.S. National Competition, having written the rules for the original 4-way event. He pioneered Ten-Way Speed Star techniques that are still in practice today, designed the first 3-Dimensional skydives, and was largely responsible for the successful design of the first 200 Way World Record Formation as well as many other monumental skydiving formations. John was meet director for the first Thanksgiving Day "10-Man" Meet in 1969, later the "Turkey Meet".

Notably, John has been a teacher and mentor to hundreds of riggers who now serve their skydiving communities around the world. He has trained some of the most successful riggers in the world. Virtually every major U.S. manufacturer has trained under Sherman or has consulted him to improve their products and processes.

1987 he started a new company called Decel and was awarded a grant to redesign the Mid-Air Refueling "Probe and Drogue" system used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force. John received a U.S. Patent, for the design, which was to become the NATO standard.

John lived many lives, more than most, and like a cat, survived many deaths including a car crash in 1964 where he died for six minutes, a plane crash, several parachute test-jumping incidents, a heart attack in 1990, a stroke in 2021, but ultimately met his match with a carton of milk (he loved milk) from McDonalds.

John is survived by his wife Nancy, sisters Patty, Marty & Judy, daughters Margaret (Chase), Eliza Beth (James), son Johnny and grandchildren Quela & Thomas.

Hi Steve,

I served with him on the TSO Committee for many years.

Jerry Baumchen

2 hours ago, 3331 said:

John Sherman Obituary...

Truly incredible legacy.

-------

What happened with the carton of milk?

John Sherman was ARMY

There will be a memorial gathering of family and friends on July 13, in DeLand. The date will definitely be Saturday, the 13th. Additionally, planning a celebration and skydive honoring John Sherman at the PIA Symposium in March, 2025. It's fitting to honor him at the Symposium, as he was one of the founding members of the Parachute Industry Association.

July 13th.  5:30 PM.

Come celebrate John Sherman's life and accomplishments with Nancy and the rest of John's family and friends, with food and drink, stories and memories, and a memorial jump load.

On 5/21/2024 at 3:41 PM, 3331 said:

 

There will be a memorial gathering of family and friends on July 13, in DeLand. The date will definitely be Saturday, the 13th. Additionally, planning a celebration and skydive honoring John Sherman at the PIA Symposium in March, 2025. It's fitting to honor him at the Symposium, as he was one of the founding members of the Parachute Industry Association.

July 13th.  5:30 PM.

Come celebrate John Sherman's life and accomplishments with Nancy and the rest of John's family and friends, with food and drink, stories and memories, and a memorial jump load.

2 minutes ago, NancyJ said:

John's colors were always Black & White.

Just now, NancyJ said:

John was known as "The Super Swooper". That's him in the very center of the photo in Black & (mostly) White.

11 hours ago, wmw999 said:

And I had a Super Swooper Tandem as a backup rig for awhile; it flew well. Blue Skies, John

Wendy P.

Hi Wendy,

About 4 yrs ago I was in Arizona visiting friends & decided to stop by Rigging Innovations & talk to Sandy Reid.  As we talked, I told him about the first time that I met him.  It was in 1976, he was travelling around the country with some woman in a fairly large van with some sewing machines setup in the van.  He was out, on the road demo'ing/selling SST's.

I think Sandy had been a member of the Exitus team.  As I recall, they all used SST's.

Ah, the old days.

Jerry Baumchen

7 hours ago, JerryBaumchen said:

...the E(X)itus team.  As I recall, they all used SST's.

That seems to be evidenced by the top photo in Nancy's post #18 above. Ten-man speed stars out of a '3. I miss that.

7 hours ago, JerryBaumchen said:

Ah, the old days.

Indeed.

-----------------

I'm still curious how the milk carton got the better of him.