Memories of John "Rick" Richard Sosoka, II

Matt Mohney

Eagle, ID

Thanksgiving in the new house in Eagle, ID

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Allen Alley

Pete Skeggs

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Matt Mohney

Belmont Shore, CA

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Allen Alley

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

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Matt Mohney

1989, Encinitas, CA

Rick and Sylvia (8 months pregnant with John III)

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Allen Alley

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Sylvia Sosoka

Oh my Gosh!! where did these photos come from? oh my! Oh my Gosh!! where did these photos come from? oh my! Oh my Gosh!! where did these photos come from? oh my!... Read more

Matt Mohney

Rick with John III and newborn Emily

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Allen Alley

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Sylvia Sosoka

He was so happy to have another baby! and... a GIRL! He was so happy to have another baby! and... a GIRL! He was so happy to have another baby! and... a GIRL!... Read more

Matt Mohney

1988, Encinitas, CA

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Allen Alley

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Brooke Abercrombie

2003, Long Beach, CA, USA

John isn’t in this photo, but Neurosmith was very much a product of John’s vision and his ability to encourage others to create and collaborate. Looking through all the photos this evening, I’m struck by what a special company it was.

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Allen Alley

Deborah Levy

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Errrr... I think you copied the caption from an earlier Neurosmith photo. Or is that really just an excellent... Read more Errrr... I think you copied the caption from an earlier Neurosmith photo. Or is that really just an excellent John impersonator?... Read more Errrr... I think you copied the caption from an earlier... Read more

Deborah Levy

You might be thinking of Musini. That was an incredible toy that was well ahead of its time! You might be thinking of Musini. That was an incredible toy that was well ahead of its time! You might be thinking of Musini. That was an incredible... Read more

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

2017, Eagle, ID, USA

jrs as I will remember him. This is out behind the house in 2017, a day or so before the eclipse. Altho he is with company, he still is in his Contemplation pose, as Brooke put it in the Twin Bridges photo. This is how I will remember him. Out walking thru the terrain of the multiverse. In one, he is aware of the cognitive skills needed to survey and mentally model the environment and how humans evolved in that niche. Another verse is contemplating his current technical knot. And also, just walking with the dog. The 2017 visit was bittersweet. As Sylvia mentioned PCA. PCA mucked up his visual cortex first, so, no driving, and the slowly moved forward. His comprehension was great, but speech generation might get caught on this word or that, but, he was still the John Sosoka that I knew and loved.

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Allen Alley

Pete Skeggs

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Sylvia Sosoka

Thank you Jan, John is probably walking on a cloud in that pose. He was so BRILLIANT. Thank you Jan, John is probably walking on a cloud in that pose. He was so BRILLIANT. Thank you Jan, John is probably walking on a cloud... Read more

Brooke Abercrombie

2004, Twin Bridges, MT, USA

Such a classic John Contemplation pose … you would never guess that it was so cold everyone else was wearing long pants and jackets…

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Allen Alley

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Brooke Abercrombie

2004

We went ATV’g around the ranch, which was a lot of fun.

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Allen Alley

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Brooke Abercrombie

2004, Twin Bridges, MT, USA

We went ATV’g around the ranch, which was a lot of fun.

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Allen Alley

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Brooke Abercrombie

2004, Twin Bridges, MT, USA

John, Sylvia, J3, and Emily came out to visit me when I was visiting my mom and step-father in Montana. They brought Ellie Roo who was just a puppy and a huge hit with everyone in the family.

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Allen Alley

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Brooke Abercrombie

2001, Long Beach, CA, USA

Here is John with Emma at the 2001 Neurosmith picnic. He loves babies and had such a way with them. They just wanted to hang out on his shoulder and be soothed.

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Allen Alley

John Sosoka III

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Brooke Abercrombie

2002, Long Beach, CA, USA

Here is Deborah with Sammy at the 2002 Neurosmith picnic

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Allen Alley

John Sosoka III

Deborah Levy

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Deborah Levy

Wow! I don’t think I ever saw this one. Sammy was a newborn. I do remember the picnic because I was just ... Read more Wow! I don’t think I ever saw this one. Sammy was a newborn. I do remember the picnic because I was just ending my maternity leave... Read more Wow! I don’t think I ever saw this one. Sammy was a... Read more

Brooke Abercrombie

2002, Long Beach, CA, USA

John at the 2002 Neurosmith picnic

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Allen Alley

John Sosoka III

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Brooke Abercrombie

1998

John was a remarkable thinker/student of life. He was a true Renaissance man. He was curious about everything, and often saw connections and implications mere mortals would miss. Listening to John, especially as a non-coder, non-video game player, non-engineer, required TREMENDOUS focus and concentration. Almost like listening to someone discuss an issue with you, while switching between English and Russian. I'd have to research things after I spoke with him, and couldn't really go longer than 2 hours, it was such a mental workout. But always worthwhile.

One time, I had some issue with my DSL access at home (this was in the very old days of 1997/98), and he told me that everything would be "cloud-based" in the future. "All my files are going to be somewhere up in a cloud??", I asked. "Like the old mainframe days? We're going to go backwards??"

"Yes, it will be just like your utilities. You'll pay to have all your files managed, just the way your electricity is delivered without you having to do anything special."

A cloud. Huh.
And, yep, 25 years later that's exactly the way it works.

Because my little business brain seemed to have trouble comprehending Russian, he assigned me Snow Crash to read, by Neal Stephenson, followed by Diamond Age. Science fiction helped me "get" the world that John saw coming. Sure enough, just last week, Mark Zuckerberg announces Facebook is shifting toward the metaverse.

I love to tell people about John's idea for Mind Minutes, and how we were working on an "on the go", bite-sized language learning app in 2003. Sadly, it was four years before the iPhone was introduced and changed people's relationship with their phone. John was a true pioneer who could see the future decades before others could. It was such a joy working with someone that smart and optimistic that it really WAS possible to invent toys and apps that could change the world for the better.

I was blessed to have as much time with his wisdom, as I did.

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Amy Williams Opheim

Tyler Wilson

Allen Alley

John Sosoka III

Pete Skeggs

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Comments:

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Wicked Awesome words! Thanks Brook! I think the early days one Neurosmith were awesome, perhaps a bit because... Read more Wicked Awesome words! Thanks Brook! I think the early days one Neurosmith were awesome, perhaps a bit because your travels would... Read more Wicked Awesome words! Thanks Brook! I think the early... Read more

Jennifer Loveday

Sylvia and family, I'm sorry to hear about Rick's passing. He was a smart and kind man and I enjoyed talking with him about so many different topics. Rick had a way of explaining things in such clear terms that made it possible for anyone to understand. He loved talking about technology and his enthusiasm was contagious! I know he's at peace now, and his spirit is free from the physical pain and constraints of this world. Thinking of you all, Jennifer.

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Allen Alley

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carole dupuis

To the family of John Sosoka, my deepest condolences for the passing of John.
My name is Carole I am a friend of Reilley Mohney who's sister Sylvia Sosoka was married to John . Although I have never met John in person I had the privilege of having a conversation over the phone with John about questions I had for a product I wanted to put on the market.... John was so gracious with his time ,advices, recommendations and expertise . He was thorough, patient and very kind . You never forget someone like John because they are rare. To young to die...May God comfort all who knew John in this difficult time .Carole Dupuis

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John Sosoka III

Allen Alley

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

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Sharon Mohney

These are all pictures of his life enjoyed with his family, relatives and friends.

It is his time to go…Goodbye Rick! So many great memories for 35 years. I miss him.

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Emily Sosoka McCarrel

John Sosoka III

Allen Alley

Matt Mohney

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John Sosoka III

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Allen Alley

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Heading out to the boat! A huge smile in his eyes! An essential photo! Heading out to the boat! A huge smile in his eyes! An essential photo! Heading out to the boat! A huge smile in his eyes! ... Read more

John Sosoka III

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Allen Alley

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

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John Sosoka III

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Allen Alley

Pete Skeggs

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Comments:

John Sosoka III

This looks like it could have been shot on the old MacGregor 25, but I'm not positive. This looks like it could have been shot on the old MacGregor 25, but I'm not positive. This looks like it could have been shot on the old ... Read more

John Sosoka III

My father engineered his world in such a way that even when humanity was misbehaving, the good would be highlighted. He would leave his car forever unlocked, even in rough neighborhoods; and, inevitably, it would occasionally be rummaged through & something of value would be stolen.

“A great majority of the time, nothing is ever stolen.” He would say, “It’s worth money to me to know that most of the time people choose to be good.”

And just like that, a theft was now an excuse to see the good in humanity. With a simple act of mental prestidigitation, a negative event would be reduced from the focus of your ire to a humble delimiter, partitioning large stretches of time where humanity chose to be decent.

My dad had an interesting way of doing that, of thinking his way into a more beautiful world. He had an incredible mind, but beyond that, he possessed a great sweetness which he chose to foster & develop over the course of his life. Dedicating thought to our choices (both for how we choose to see and how we choose to act) was important to my father and as such was a recurring theme throughout my upbringing. “Your sister isn’t making you upset, nobody can make you upset” he would remind me, “you are choosing to be upset.” Internalizing this lesson is as empowering as it is frustrating.

My father was many things. He was a technologist, an inventor, an entrepreneur, a futurist and he was always a teacher. His passion for knowledge, love of understanding and effectiveness in communicating meant that the vibrant, beautiful world that he inhabited was contagious—his influence would enrich the experience of those around him. He was patient, encouraging and helpful in all things and for all people. As I sit here, writing this trying to process my dad’s life and scrape this message together I feel obligated to remind everybody that he intentionally developed himself into this incredible person by choice. We may not all be gifted his raw intellect, but we can use his example and make all the choices necessary to develop ourselves into the types of people that make the world a more beautiful place.

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YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Emily Sosoka McCarrel

Anna Sosoka

Jennifer Loveday

Brooke Abercrombie

Allen Alley

Liz Cantwell

Pete Skeggs

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Comments:

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

Amen! Amen! Amen!

Karen Murray

So true. Whatever he encountered was always in a positive way. I have been blessed being his sister and and... Read more So true. Whatever he encountered was always in a positive way. I have been blessed being his sister and and enjoying all our times... Read more So true. Whatever he encountered was always in a positive... Read more

Jennifer Loveday

Beautifully written and a wonderful example for others. Beautifully written and a wonderful example for others. Beautifully written and a wonderful example for others.... Read more

YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh

I'm wondering what April could have possibly done, but the lesson that we are responsible for our reactions... Read more I'm wondering what April could have possibly done, but the lesson that we are responsible for our reactions is a bit of rare wisdom.... Read more I'm wondering what April could have possibly done, ... Read more

Allen Alley

I hear your dad in your voice. I hear your dad in your voice. I hear your dad in your voice.

Heather Lowe

I was saddened when I heard the news of John's passing. I only briefly knew him through his lovely wife Sylvia a couple years ago. However, it was obvious that he was a man of deep intelligence, charm and kindness. The love and thoughtfulness between Sylvia and John was palpable and inspirational. My best to my "sister" Sylvia and her family!

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Emily Sosoka McCarrel

John Sosoka III

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Karen Murray

His kindness and unconditional love for everyone. I am his youngest sister and all my life I thought of him as perfect. I would like to share some stories that shows you another side of Rick's creativity.
things that don't work!
By Audrey

In my younger days, I was determined to be the perfect housewife. That is how I happened to be on my hands and knees with the vacuum edge tool making sure any dust that found its way to the edge of the hall would be sucked up with my tidy tool. As I vacuumed along the baseboard, I was fascinated by tiny, colored wires that were noticeable each time there was a vertical door jam. Our house was new to us but I reflected that neither of the other two houses had wires like these running along the baseboard. When I finished my cleaning chore, I went to consult with our live-in electrical engineer. What are those wires along the edge of the hall carpet? His puzzled look told me that he wasn't expecting wires to be there either! When he crawled along the baseboard, tracking the wires, he was even more puzzled. "I don't know where they start, but they end in our bedroom. "How weird!" I said, and left the wire problem in his capable hands while I continued my cleaning task. Later he came in with a full report on the unlikely wires. Not only did he find out where they went, but he also found out how they got there. They were so carefully run and neatly hidden under the carpet edge in the tight groove between the carpet and the wall. This neat job was not accomplished by a professional, but was the work of our son, Rick--twelve years old. Suddenly, two concerned parents were aware their bedroom had been bugged by their son. Shocking! The immediate question on both of our mind was "Why would he do such a thing? A little father-son conference quickly provided the answer. It seems his sister was planning a slumber party and he thought it might be fun to bug her bedroom. That intention was unsavory enough but why was our bedroom involved? Turns out Rick ran out of wire short of his sister's room All that careful wiring job was destined to be for naught unless...Sure, it reached to the parent's bedroom so better to do that than waste all the effort!

Once we had the explanation and the option to disconnect we still had to deal with a way to handle what was clearly inappropriate behavior on Rick's part. I had no idea what to do so I left it up to his father to handle. Once their "talk was over, Rick came dejectedly out of his room. His expression told me he hadn't received the punishment he expected. Finally, I decided to ask what happened. "Did you think he was too hard on you?" His answer surprised me. "No, that's the problem. I wish he had put me on restrictions for a month or more." At this point I was really confused. Not enough punishment! How can that be? Well, Mom, I know he won't forget this. I can just imagine when I start dating I'll ask to borrow the car. He'll say ok and off I'll go in a bugged car. This will hang over me until he gets his revenge.

Good point, say I, stifling a smile!

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Allen Alley

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Susanne Hartner

We are very sad to hear about Johns passing. We have so many great memories spending time with all of you. I remember John presenting his Dinosaur and the kids being absolute fascinated by it. The first time we met him, being outside your house im Boise with your dog Ellie, meeting our dog Nelly.
He was such a smart and kind person, and will be greatly missed.

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Emily Sosoka McCarrel

John Sosoka III

Allen Alley

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Comments:

John Sosoka III

Susanne, thank you for the kind words. Somewhere on this memorial I have a picture uploaded of my dad with... Read more Susanne, thank you for the kind words. Somewhere on this memorial I have a picture uploaded of my dad with Lucas & Nelly. Susanne, thank you for the kind words. Somewhere on... Read more

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John "Rick" Richard Sosoka, II

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