Back in the days when M.U.F.O.N. stood for Midwest UFO Network, John Schuessler was there. In 1969, along with Walt Andrus, John, an aerospace engineer with an interest in Unidentified Flying Objects, formed what is now the biggest and best UFO Organization in the world – The Mutual UFO Network!
On July 11, 2026, John F. Schuessler, our International Director Emeritus, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. He actively served MUFON with over 53 years of dedicated service using the scientific method to unravel the UFO mystery.
John wrote innumerable scientifically based articles for the MUFON Journal and other publications for decades. One of his many famous cases is The Cash-Landrum Affair in December of 1980 when two women and a boy in a car spied a diamond shaped object being trailed by military helicopters. The women suffered radiation sickness afterwards and even sued the United States Government unsuccessfully.
In our MUFON Project Aquarius Library, John has over 77 pages of documentation on this famous case. The record also shows that John had even visited the witnesses in the hospital to see how they were doing and progressing with their treatment! Compassion and scientific inquiry at their finest! He later co-authored a book with a foreword by famous Ufologist Bob Pratt entitled “The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident”.
John also appeared in several TV programs and is listed in the IMDB.COM database. According to IMDB, John F. Schuessler is known for Unsolved Mysteries (1987), Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs (2005) and Enquête sur les OVNIs (2004).
To say good-bye to a legend is always tough, especially when it is one of our founders! We are moving into a new generation at MUFON with new technology, new ideas and an era that is beginning to see government disclosure. We never would have arrived where we are today without scientists like John. We will miss him dearly, but we must continue the journey until we have an answer! This is the best way to honor John Schuessler and his legacy. God speed John, you will be greatly missed by all whose lives you have touched.
