![]() Between 1992 and 1996 I took Creative Writing and literature classes from John Hahn at Rio Hondo College in Whittier. My father, who had taken John's classes in the 80s, highly recommended I take the same classes. John was one of the most effective professor I've ever had. Many things he taught me still remain with me---I quote something he said in our classes at least every day. I recently discovered that John died in October, 2006 of a heart attack, brought on by lung cancer. I have wanted to communicate with more people who had his class. I've put together this blog which, hopefully, will provide his former students with an opportunity to quote him, provide an anecdote, or offer negative criticism (which is equally important). In many ways, his classes were more like philosophical lectures which, inadvertently, taught me more about creativity than I've ever encountered. I'll start with a couple of things which come screaming to mind: "When a woman puts on lipstick, she's telling the world she's ready to fuck." If a book in a library or bookstore falls from a shelf in front of you, read it. Pray that you die from a long, painful death.
20 Comments
Adrienne Cardiel
5/29/2013 09:10:58 am
Thank you for creating this page. I laughed at your blog and remember every one of those words written about John. God how he could change your life with one sentence! We were beyond lucky to have him and I am beyond grateful to have known and sat for hours with him for so many days and even years after being his student. Thank you Margie Pignataro. My in-articulation is in no way a wish to diminish his influence to this day - I am just speechless that you are so talented to bring him back to life in such a virtual spirited note~
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Adrienne Cardiel
5/29/2013 09:12:43 am
BTW... my father had taken his classes too and referred him, as well! Hmmm....
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Frank Loaiza
2/22/2014 01:10:42 pm
I took his English class in 1987 or was it '88? He would always say things that were a bit controversial and I think it was an intentional way to get is to write our thoughts. He would walk into class with his large coffeeug and write or say something to get is going. One time, he walked up te board and wrote, "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."
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Michael Montano
10/25/2014 12:47:32 pm
I was saddened to read of his death today, eight years later, and instantly laughed at what you all have written of him - a testament to the many he touched. He was a great inspiration in the teacher I have become today, if he were alive to hear that he'd probably say, "gee fuck."
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Mike Boyd
5/20/2015 12:57:05 pm
John was a major influence. I took his classes and audited them from 1988 to 1991. Shot many a pool game with him as well. He taught me what to read.
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Kathryn de Leon
3/21/2018 12:07:12 pm
I am a former student of John Hahn's; I didn't know he'd passed away, so sad to know he's gone. I just wanted to send a quick note now but when I have more time I would like to share some of my memories of John. I took his classes at Rio Hondo between 1977-1979 and he has been the greatest influence in my life, second only to my parents. Thank you for this page and I'll send more soon.
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Margie
3/27/2018 09:48:24 am
Thank you so much for replying! I'd love to hear anything you remember about John.
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Kathryn de Leon
4/8/2018 10:07:20 am
Thank you Margie, for responding to my message about John. Also thank you for this page.
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Margie
4/10/2018 02:11:44 pm
That is great, priceless advice: one abstraction per poem. If you ever want to share poetry, please do!
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Curtis Shearer
4/11/2018 05:00:13 pm
I took a couple of classes with John in 1977-78. I was just a ignorant druggie getting a free ride on the GI Bill. I still remember the day I walked out of John's class determined to be honest from that day forward. John had expressed to us that day that honesty is the highest virtue. It revolutionized my life. I went straight to my girl friend's house and confessed to her that I had been cheating on her. I was liberated in spirit as the guilt was lifted off of my shoulders for being a phony liar. I used to look at John and wonder how he could be a vegetarian. I told myself I would never do that. Now I have been a vegetarian for 35 years. John claimed to have gone for a whole year without any kind of sex. I thought, "This guy is totally insane".
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Kathryn de Leon
4/12/2018 02:05:21 am
Curtis, thank you for sharing these memories of John. I was amazed when I read your comment for a number of reasons. First of all, you said you attended John's classes in 1977-1978.; I attended 1977-1979. We most likely were in the same class! I also went to at least one gathering, maybe more, at his house around that time, we were probably there at the same time!
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Kathryn de Leon
11/6/2022 01:58:44 pm
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Richard
11/4/2023 02:50:53 am
Kathryn, the last line of your poem caused me to remember a verbal entanglement that John and another lady student were involved in one night. The lady fiercely defended her position and then said something to the effect of, "just because you said it doesn't mean you're right."
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Kathryn de Leon
11/4/2023 09:04:54 am
Thanks for your comment, Richard! This sounds like another classic John Hahn response.
Richard
11/4/2023 04:47:42 pm
Kathryn, I attended Rio for a long while 1992-2002 off and on and probably took every class John offered (the night classes being the most special). I still remember walking out of those night classes enveloped in a cloud of the highest order questions.
Kathryn de Leon
11/13/2022 02:45:59 am
In my poem posted above, I made a boo-boo, at the time I took his classes, he was 37 years old, not 34!
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Margie
11/13/2022 12:21:17 pm
I love your poem so much! And your thoroughness with correcting his age is adorable. It reminds me of something he said, but nothing specifically. It was something about how everyone fucks up, that no one should be trusted entirely for information because we're only human and very fallible.
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Kathryn de Leon
11/13/2022 01:25:55 pm
Thanks for your reply, Margie! I don't think I'll ever forget this blog, as I'll never forget John Hahn. September of this year made it exactly 45 years since I first took John's class. Hard to believe! Somewhere I have some writing saved from his classes and I think maybe some comments he wrote on them. I'll certainly share anything I can find!
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Kathryn de Leon
11/5/2023 01:22:31 am
By mistake I somehow managed to unsubscribe myself from this John Hahn blog, I'm hoping that by sending this message I'll be subscribed again.
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Kathryn
11/5/2023 01:09:17 am
Fortunately I got myself subscribed again to this blog after mistakenly unsubscribing myself. I want to reply to a comment made by Richard yesterday but there's so "reply" button next to his comment.
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John Hahn
Statement of Intention
This blog is about all I can remember about John Hahn, who taught creative writing at Rio Hondo. He died in 2006 and this is my way of remembering him. If anyone else remembers him, please comment or contact me. Archives
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