Remembering John Wackman

John Wackman was a pioneer in the Repair Café movement in the United States.  His efforts founded the Repair Café in New Paltz, New York, as well as many others across all of Hudson Valley.  John’s endless pursuit and encouragement of repair events throughout New York, as well as around the world, helped others form their own Repair Cafes, including several events across New Jersey.

In 2018, John visited Repair Cafe International Foundation in Amsterdam in The Netherlands.  There he spoke with Martine Postma about enhancing the worldwide knowledge and understanding of Repair Café events. Together they presented their ideas at the Drawdown Learn Conference at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.

In 2020, John and co-writer Elizabeth Knight, published the book Repair Revolution: How Fixers Are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture. The book focuses on community bonds forged through cooperative repair community, and the sustainability repairing provides over buying new items, as well as other topics related to the repairing world.

Sadly, John passed away on January 8, 2021.  His sustainability, wisdom and generous nature will truly be missed.  In his honor we dedicate our time and effort to continue the spread of the same knowledge and wisdom he imparted on us.