John Peter
Zentner
John Peter Zentner, 57, son of Robert J. and Barbara Zentner of Frederick,
MD, died December 12, 2008, in Northwood, New Hampshire, after a courageous
battle with cancer.
John was born in Baraboo, WI, and grew up in Frederick where he graduated
from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in 1969. There he discovered his
talent for the art of pottery and his love of music. He was a member of
Larry and the Lads, Skinners Eddy, and the Wright Brothers bands, among
others.
John attended the New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred, New York.
He opened the John Zentner Pottery at Everedy Square in Frederick and was
employed by La Paz Restaurant, Zimmerman’s Florist and Hank’s Courier
Service.
John moved to Dover, New Hampshire to work as a production potter for the
Salmon Falls Pottery and as a faculty member of the New Hampshire Institute
of Art in Manchester, NH. He established the John Zentner Pottery in
Northwood, NH, and was a state-wide juried member of the League of New
Hampshire Craftsmen and a member of the New Hampshire Potters’ Guild.
John described his work as primarily functional. Although his main focus was
on providing pots for the table and kitchen counter, he also enjoyed making
one of a kind pieces that made a more artistic statement. John said, “I love
clay and its unlimited potential for self-expression. Although I tend to
work in a functional vein, I feel it’s a bit like playing Blues music. The
challenge is to create interest within a seemingly limited format.”
John is survived by his parents; by the love of his life Michele Hastings of
Northwood, NH; by his sister, Nancy Zentner and her partner, Steve Miller of
Mercersburg, PA; by his brother, Joseph and his wife, Cindy of Woodsboro; by
nieces, Amanda Wagner and husband, Jacob Wagner of Virginia Beach, VA, and
Casey Weinberg of Bethesda, MD and her fiancé, Keith Florance; by his nephew
Robert Weinberg and wife, Dr Jacqueline Weinberg of Washington, DC; and by
special friends Susan Gentry Sweeney and Cecil Caraker.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Wentworth Douglas Home Care &
Hospice, 113 New Rochester Rd., Ste 4, Dover, NH 03820 or to the Children’s
National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20010.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at a future date.
