To all United Airlines Employees and Teamster Representatives: The loss of a friend or loved one is always hardest on those of us left behind. And so it is with the loss of our friend and Brother, John Pochop.

     On Sunday February 3, 2008 we lost a very dear friend and co-worker. John passed away in his San Jose home from a sudden heart attack.

     "Johnny" was a very special individual and devoted his life to his family and the union. He hired on with United Airlines after leaving the Navy in 1987. It didn't take him long before he became a shop steward during the IAM days. He was always at the meetings keeping us well informed and did all he could to support and represent the workers in his area.

     He later got involved with setting up the web page for Local 1781 when we moved into the "electronic mail age" and dedicated his time to keeping information flowing to all the members wanting to use this new age information system. His talents continued even after the IAM was replaced by the AMFA as he helped those members at Local 1781 to continue the high caliber web site information the members had come to expect.

     When the Committee for Change got started in December 2005, John was asked if he could find time to help us out and the "Teamsters At UAL” website was born. After several trial runs our website has evolved into what we have today thanks to John's talents and imagination.

     John is survived by Christina, his wife of 23 years, David his 15-year-old son, and Ashlyn, his 12-year-old daughter.

     Christina has asked that donations may be made to the American Heart Association in John's name, or donations may be made in Christina Pochop’s name. Those donations will be placed into a trust fund for their children. Those donations may be sent to her in care of the Apostles Lutheran Church at the above address.

     John was truly a special friend to all of us that were blessed with his friendship. He will be missed by all of those he has left behind.