John Bliss, who served as a Senior Instructor for Northeastern Illinois University's Department of Communication, Media and Theatre (CMT), died on July 10, 2024. He was 66 years old.
A memorial service will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, at Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan Rd., in Chicago. RSVP is requested.
John is survived by his sister, Melody Bliss; brother, Russell Bliss; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Cook, Natalie Wargin and Pam Bliss; niece, Caroline Bliss; and many cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, James Bliss; mother, Stella Bliss; and brother, Steven Bliss.
“John was a beloved educator who significantly impacted our NEIU community through his dedication to teaching in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre,” said Interim President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan. “His passion for the arts and commitment to his students will undoubtedly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues."
John was born in 1958. He earned his MFA in Theater Arts from the University of Iowa. His creative works include fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, such as “Art That Moves: Animation Around the World (Culture in Action)” (Raintree); “Pioneers to the West (Children’s True Stories: Migration)” (Raintree); “Nineteenth-Century Migration to America (Children’s True Stories: Migration)” (Raintree); and "Time with Leo” (ProLiteracy New Readers Press), which noted in its biography of John that “his interest in science goes back to long summer nights of his youth, when he would lie on the front lawn, watching the stars through his father’s binoculars.” He also wrote scripts for educational videos for McGraw Hill and Pearson.
John began teaching at Northeastern in 2003. Over the years, John taught a wide variety of courses in CMT including Communication, Gender and Identity; Queer Theatre; Playwriting; and Intro to Cinema. He also directed a number of Stage Center Theatre productions, including “Becky Shaw” and “Residence.”
Chair of CMT Cyndi Moran noted John was one of only two faculty members who taught in all three areas of the program and his passing is a deep loss to her personally and professionally.
“The CMT department is gutted by the loss of John Bliss,” Moran said “He taught with a depth of knowledge, skill and devotion. John was known to be sarcastic and funny. Behind the scenes, he was also known for his steady concern and caretaking of students. He showed deep compassion for students and their challenges, and provided and advocated for support for them. He was truly the glue in the department; always engaged, always wanting to do more to reach students effectively, always pushing in-person events to connect our CMT community. We miss him so much already.”
CMT colleague and friend Dan Wirth shared a myriad of cherished memories with John, who he affectionately called his “fellow workplace curmudgeon.”
“John could really make me laugh, and I think I might have provided him with some laughs over the years,” Wirth said. He is truly what I would call a colleague, and he was collegial in every sense of the word. We helped each other through many tough work/school situations, and as helpful as I tried to be to him, I think he was much more helpful to me. If there is such a thing as a King of Untenured Instructors, it would be him. Man, oh man, he will be missed!”
The Department of CMT will hold a celebration of life for John during the Fall 2024 semester. Details will be announced at a later date.
