Although we all know that our time on this earth is limited, there are some people who seem larger than life. John Peter Koss was that type of person. When many people in their 90s would likely be spending leisure days, John continued to keep his mind sharp talking and writing about what made him an expert and authority: warehouse and delivery operations. 

John’s enthusiasm made me question how he was able to exert such energy and what I was doing wrong that I couldn’t muster the same level. And despite knowing that his health had taken a step back earlier this year, I still was surprised and saddened to hear that he had passed away on March 31. Sixty days ahead of what would have been his 100th birthday.  

His passing still seemed surprising because if you ever had the chance to talk with John, you could tell that mind was quick as ever. We would discuss the changes taking place in warehouses and industries overall ― what he had trademarked as constant change syndrome (CCS). 

He would love to discuss this importance of operations and marketing being on the same page, so that new products and packages could succeed not just on the retail shelves but the warehouse ones as well.  

When we would pick out topics for the upcoming editorial calendars, John always wanted to know what else we were writing about in the issue because he wanted to be sure that what he would be discussing could complement the other articles. But even when I would reassure him that he was the expert and I trusted his identification of what was a relevant topic, John would then reassure me that I was too. 

But John also showed interest in my life outside of Beverage Industry. After my mom and grandma both passed away in 2016, he would check in on me to see how I was doing. Showing that our business relationship had evolved. It was nice to know that even though so many of our interactions were more virtual than in-person that we had created that connection. 

Although John’s column will no longer be part of Beverage Industry, he left a legacy with us and you the readers that was just as impressive as his time on earth.