Jon Hassler is a talented American novelist and educator who is well-known for his fictional works about small-town life in Minnesota. In addition to writing, Mr. Hassler is also an accomplished artist and has always loved to draw and paint. Mr. Hassler has received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation and the Minnesota State Arts Board. His novel Staggerford was chosen Novel of the Year in 1978 by the Friends of American Writers. Grand Opening was chosen Best Fiction of 1987 by the Society of Midland Authors. In 1993, Mr. Hassler was granted an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Assumption College (Massachusetts), in 1994 by the University of North Dakota, and in 1996 by the University of Notre Dame. Jon recently passed away and will be missed in part for his creative spirit.