John P. Drost died on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at home with his family. He was born on April 5, 1945 in South Bend, Indiana to Albert and Geraldine (Spears) Drost.

His family moved to a farm north of New Auburn, Wisconsin on September 1, 1946. He attended a rural school, East Dovre, for eight grades. Following grade school, he attended Chetek High School in Chetek, Wisconsin, graduating in 1963. He then attended what is the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He graduated in early June with a major in mathematics and a minor in physics.

At this point he was drafted into the Army and served from 1967 to 1969. He was promoted to Specialist 5th Class in 16 months and offed a direct commission before leaving the service to attend graduate school. Before starting graduate school, he married Zoila Rosa Ramirez on June 14, 1969. In June 1975, he received his Ph.D from the University of Utah. He taught mathematics for 41 ½ years, his last 26 years at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is known for having discovered the geometry design "Vortex Tessellation." He retired on July 1, 2011.

He and Zoila remained in Eau Claire, WI. He was active in church, a veteran club, water color painting, fishing, gardening, helping to maintain the family farm and family-owned vacation spot.

In leu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chetek High School Scholarship Fund.

Private family services were held at Immaculate Conception Church, with Father Francis Thadathil officiating. Burial with full military honors was held at St. Boniface Cemetery in Chetek, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.