John O. Van Koert was born in Manitoba, Canada.  He moved to Milwaukee and  studied art at the University of Wisconsin and later became a professor of design in the art department.  After WWII he went to New York and worked as a jewelry designer for Harry Winston, branching out into industrial design.  An exponent of MODERNISM, he helped introduce Danish Modern design while he was in New York.  He worked for Drexel Furniture.  He died in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1998.