John L. Colenback ’57
John L. Colenback ’57 passed away in West Hollywood, California, on May 12, 2015. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. He had moved to Hollywood from New York City in 1980. John came to Dartmouth from Toledo, Ohio, and Ottawa Hills High School in 1953. In high school he discovered his love for acting and appeared in 17 stage productions. At Dartmouth he studied drama and majored in English. He was a member of Casque & Gauntlet, Phi Delta Theta, the Dartmouth Players and the Undergraduate Council. He also was on the staff of The Dartmouth and the Jack-O-Lantern. John had a long, successful career acting on Broadway, off-Broadway, in television and in motion pictures. For nine and a half years he appeared as the debonair Doctor Dan Stewart in CBS’s daytime hit As the World Turns. In 1973 a national television magazine named him “best actor.” He also appeared on other television series and numerous movies. In addition to being an accomplished actor, John was a calligrapher, watercolorist and gourmet chef with a gift for comedic political discourse. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of film and a passion for creating his own greeting cards. John was a bachelor. He was predeceased by his brother, Don. He leaves his brother, Lloyd, and several nephews and nieces. He also leaves close friends Bill Starbuck and Francis Spratley.
