John Horton Dunn, known to friends and family as "Joe," passed away peacefully at his home in Evanston on May 10, 2026 at the age of 91. Born December 11, 1934, in Madison, Wisconsin to Walter Conrad and Dorothy Luedke Dunn, Joe grew up in Shorewood Hills on Blackhawk Drive, where he swam and fished on the shores of Lake Mendota. He was a successful football player at Wisconsin High School and at the University of Wisconsin until sidelined by injury. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying under William Appleman Williams.

In 1960, he married Gwenn Dellen Wilson, daughter of Perry and Helen Wilson of Madison. Together they raised two children, Susan and Christopher, both born in Mount Kisco, New York. After four years in Westchester County, New York, where Joe taught at John Jay High School, the family returned to the Chicago area in 1965. They lived in Park Forest for two years, then in Glenview for eighteen years, and finally in Evanston for twenty-seven years.

In 1967, he began teaching at Evanston Township High School, where he taught history/social studies until his retirement in 1996. Joe developed the first Latin American studies classes at ETHS in the 1980s, inspired by his son Christopher (a professor at Tulane University and author of a number of books on Brazilian culture). Joe was also a coach for football and swimming at ETHS. Always an avid athlete and coach, he taught generations of Evanston children how to swim as director of the ETHS summer swim program in the 1970s (joined by his daughter Susan in the 1980s).

Known for his warmth, intellect, and dedication to students, he left a lasting impression on generations of young people. Retirement did not slow his passion for education and service. For nearly thirty years, Joe volunteered as an education docent at the Field Museum of Natural History, most often stationed in the Pawnee Earth Lodge. He played the clarinet in the Evanston community band and had a lifelong passion for classical music fostered at an early age by his late older brother Bob.

Joe was an avid traveler whose journeys, primarily with his wife Gwenn, took him throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Brazil. He held a special affection for Milan, Italy where he spent time with his late sister Julie Dunn Gavazzi. After the passing of his wife in 2012, Joe found companionship again with Fran Faller of Skokie, whom he married in 2016 bringing Fran's stepson Doug Faller, and his partner Roland-Paul Poulet into the Dunn family.

An Army Ranger (airborne) veteran who was stationed in South Korea in the late 1950s, Joe was also a lifelong supporter of progressive political and social movements in peace and justice. A month before his passing, he participated in the No Kings rally in Grant Park.

Joe is survived by his wife Fran Faller of Evanston, his daughter Susan Dunn of Mountain View California, son Christopher Dunn of New Orleans, Louisiana, and stepson Douglas Faller (Roland-Paul Poulet) of Chicago; four grandchildren: Luango Aranha (Grace) of Wilsden, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom; Isa Gonzalez, Joaquin Hubbard Dunn, and Zé Hubbard Dunn of New Orleans; and two great-grandchildren: Isabella and Noah Aranha.

He is also survived by his brother Thomas "Tad" Dunn of Madison, Wisconsin and sister Ginny Dunn of Portland Oregon; nieces Betsy Cross of Madison, Julie Brown of Durango, Colorado, and Abby Bloedorn of Fort Collins, Colorado; and nephews Rodolfo and Lodovico Gavazzi of Milan, Italy.

Joe will be remembered for his curiosity, kindness, generosity, love of family, and lifelong devotion to teaching and discovery. His wisdom, humor, and adventurous spirit enriched the lives of all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at the Lake Street Church (607 Lake Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201) on Saturday, September 19th, 2026. Time TBA.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in memory of John H. Dunn be given to:

Field Museum Education Programs https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/join-give

A lifetime member of the museum starting in 1967, he volunteered as an education docent at the Field Museum of Natural History for nearly 30 years: from the time of his retirement from teaching at ETHS up until a few weeks before his death.

Or

Over the Rainbow Foundation https://www.otrhousing.org/kindnesstag

For many years he served on the board of the Over the Rainbow Foundation that supports and develops a national program of housing for independent living for disabled adults.