John Rydell Koetting, 82, of Hamilton, NJ, formerly of Hasbrouck Heights and Paramus, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He is remembered as a kind, patient, and hardworking man; a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend; a railroad enthusiast; and the most accurate weatherman you'd ever meet.

The oldest son of Irving and Marjorie (Rydell) Koetting, John was raised in Hasbrouck Heights with his brother, Bobby, and sister, Barbara, who called him Ry. John spent his childhood summers in Blairstown, staying with his father's parents, John F.W. and Elsa Koetting, and helping his mother's brothers next door at Rydell Farms. That experience nurtured his love for working the land, milking cows, driving tractors, and other farmwork.

At Hasbrouck Heights High School (Class of 1962), his interest in aviation took off when, instead of paying attention in class, he gazed out the window, watching planes come and go from Teterboro Airport. This is also where he developed a lifelong passion for meteorology, keeping detailed daily weather records for most of his life. After high school, John served in the United States Army National Guard.

John married his wife, Dawn (Thomas), in 1967 and raised their three daughters—Jacquelyn, Rebecca, and Melissa—in Paramus. From 1970 to 2010, John worked at Teterboro Airport and was known as Dr. John and MNG (Mr. Nice Guy) for his friendly and helpful demeanor. He started his 40-year career at TEB in Airport Operations, where his meteorology skills were put to good use, collecting data and interpreting paper radar maps to predict flight conditions; he later moved to accounting.

In addition to working and raising a family at this time, John was a member of the Northern New Jersey Railfans and regularly met up in Midland Park and other rail lines in the region. He was also an active member of Railfans of the NYS&W. When he wasn't watching trains live, he was listening to scanners, reading railroad magazines, or watching train videos.

After retirement, John and Dawn moved to Enchantment in Hamilton. He loved nature and kept a bird feeder off his back patio, where he enjoyed watching birds. He soon realized he was feeding more squirrels and deer than birds! Affectionately known by his family as “Papa John,” he was always there for his daughters and grandchildren, attending every concert, play, and marching band event as a Lawrenceville Music Grandparent. He also enjoyed spending time in Vero Beach, FL, and traveling.

John was a devoted church member who attended services almost every Sunday morning of his life. He was christened and confirmed at the Reformed Church of Hasbrouck Heights, then attended the Reformed Church of Oradell, and then served as a Deacon at Allentown Presbyterian Church. At APC, John and Dawn spent more than a decade volunteering and running the Allentown Food Pantry. They also volunteered as mentors, hosting small groups of middle schoolers from the Crossroads Youth Center.

John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Dawn (Thomas) Koetting; his daughters, Jacquelyn Pillsbury (Donald), Rebecca Rydell, and Melissa Clark (Chris); his beloved grandchildren, Ashley Pillsbury (Anna), Hayden Clark, Daniel Rydell Abma, and Aimee Clark; his sister, Barbara Berberich (Allen); brother-in-law, Drew Thomas (Joan); sister-in-law, Debra Thomas-Smith (Tom); nieces and nephews, Alex Berberich (Indhira), Lindsay Berberich, Laura Smith (Matt), Allison Boyer (Doug), and David Smith (Abby); great-nieces and great-nephew; many of his Rydell cousins; and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Irving and Marjorie (Rydell) Koetting, and his brother, Robert I. Koetting.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 24, at 11 AM at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St., Allentown, NJ. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Cemetery in Paramus at approximately 2 PM.

There will also be two informal gatherings to share stories about John Koetting. The first will be at the Lawrenceville home of Jacquelyn and Don Pillsbury on Saturday, July 25 from 3 to 6 pm. The second will be at the Robbinsville home of Dawn Koetting on Sunday, July 26 from 3 to 6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to bring food donations to the church service or make memorial donations to Allentown Food Pantry, c/o Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St., Allentown, NJ 08501, or to another food pantry of your choice. Or better yet, volunteer to help at a food pantry near you—as John would say, "Many hands make light work."