John S. Altman

John Stapleton Altman, 78, was the third and youngest son of Frank G. Altman, Jr. and Virginia Aikins Altman. He passed away on October 13, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

John was a life-long area resident, a graduate of Pembroke Country Day School and the University of Pennsylvania. He taught upper school English Literature classes at Sunset Hill School, now Pembroke Hill School, and was known as an inspiring teacher. While at Sunset Hill, he was instrumental, along with his colleagues and friends, in developing an acclaimed Humanities Program.

After an apprenticeship at the Calvin Company Studies, an early Kansas City education and industrial film production company, John launched a career in documentary film making. Among other types, he produced films noteworthy of innovative technology, such as IMAX. Together with Aimee Larrabee, they produced a highly regarded film on The Last Stand of the Tall Grass Prairie, which was aired widely by PBS. He produced a noted film on Thomas Hart Benton as he worked in his studio on his final painting, “The Sources of Country Music,” the painting now owned by the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. John was a fervent member of the BSI – Baker Street Irregulars – a Sherlockian Literary Society.

John was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Kristine Vrooman Altman, and his brother, Frank Altman III. He is survived by his brother, Richard Altman and his wife, Adriance, of Littleton, Colorado; his four nieces, along with many cousins and dear friends.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, on Friday, February 20th beginning at 10am. Inurnment following at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kansas City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to: KC Pet Project, 7077 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64132.