Former Car Dealer and Part-Owner of Three Monkeys, Stella Blues Commits Suicide

• I met him over 20 years ago, would run into him every couple of years and he never missed a beat in our friendship. He never made anybody feel like they were any less than him just because he was successful.

• Then you did not know him well.

• I don't go to weddings or funerals, they depress me. The last reception I attended I believe had something which now evades me...although it must have been good, because I actually ate. Sorry I could not have helped more!

• WOW... I think it was said once and I feel the need to say it again, I can't believe a newspaper such as RFT would publish this. I worked for Mr. Van Hoogstraat and thought only great things of him! He was a very successful man. I think it's a shame that idiots would get on a blog and post horrible and mean things about him. Mr. Van was a great guy and for anyone who didn't know please ignore the ignorant comments. Mr. Van was liked by so many people. He has and always will be a great guy in my book! God Bless You John Van - May you rest in peace!

• Johnny was my nephew, you couldn't ask for a better one! I don't know who theses people are making all of theses remarks in here about him, but you didn't realiy know him! In this day and world there is alot of heartache for pete sake let him rest in peace and let GOD take care of him and the rest do the same!!! GAA

• Victimized by John Van Hoogstraat says "I to knew John Van Hoogstraat". First of all, it is "I, too" (maybe you should go back to school). Second of all, I highly doubt that you "knew John" well or you would never strike back with such a sick and vicious comment. A lot of people were jealous of John; his personality; his success. I suspect you are one of that group, sharing only in like-minded jealousy. Shame on you for making such a horrific comment about a dead man, regardless of how he lost his life. Those of us who REALLY knew John focus on how he lived his life and of that, you have reason to be jealous, you small-minded vicious person.

• That waw a crappy comment, Johnny wasn't perfect and I'm sure your not either! He was one of those people who tried to give you the beneifit of the doubt but once you screwed him over, he wasn't so quick to look the other way. I'm sure you deserved whatever you got!

• I too am upset that a newpaper would focus on a death in this manner. However, I to knew John Van Hoogstrat and he was not the man that is built up on this blog. All I can say is Carma Is A Bitch.

• With all these car dealers closing and under pressure, I wonder if the mess at Chryser was something that helped bring Mr. Van Hoogstraat to this. I know there are a lot of dealers all across the country -- people who built up successful businesses, became important people in their communities and then lost everything. I feel very bad for his family and they have my sympathy, but I can't help but wonder whether the Chrysler situation played a role. Very sad if it did.

• In the REAL WORLD, responsible journalism would have also mentioned John Van Hoogstraat's accomplishments and his importance in the St. Louis Community. Responsible journalism would have mentioned his history and his personality and the important role he played in his family and in the lives of his friends. They would have mentioned his generosity and his kindness to so many. Responsible journalism would have had a heart and not just reported that he ended his own life. But we all know there is no responsible journalism at the RFT.

• Regardless of his accomplishments he still felt that there was only one way out of the termoil he was in and that was to end his own life. He could have turned to his love ones but instead felt he had to take matters into his own hands. I would not bash the RFT for posting news. He was a man of importance that shot himself. That's a fact. They just posted it. I feel sorry for those who were close to him but this is the real world. This is how it works. It doesn't affect anyone until it hits close to home.

• I am a lifelong friend of John VanHoogstraat who will sign my name as a person proud to be associated with John for so many years. How a man dies does not define him, but how he lives. John was defined not only by his success, but in all ways that his success affected those around him. I "knew him when" and watched as he evolved into the man who was so loved by so many. Nothing was handed to John VanHoogstraat on a silver platter. His hard work, dedication and most assuredly his personality were cause for his success. A world without John VanHoogstraat in it, no matter how he left it, is just a little sadder for all those left behind who knew and loved him. Be ashamed of yourself RFT for your callous pen. Write of John's accomplishments and of his kind and caring ways to all. Especially write of the lifelong twinkle in his eye and his laugh ... oh! how he could laugh! Then and only then will you begin to apologize to all who cared about John VanHogstraat, most especially his family. You should be ashamed. You, RFT, are a disgrace to the community that John loved so much and to whom he was so generous. Again, shame on you. Angela Caruso Gregory

• I too am thoroughly disgusted by RFT's blatant diregard for the family, friends and business acquaintances of John Van Hoogstraat. To insult and offend the good name of one of our area's prominent citizens and business men who gave tirelessly to this community is ultimately unforgivable. If you wanted to write an article in regards to his sudden passing, it should have been in honor, not to slaughter! Shame on RFT journalists, I will never turn to RFT for advertising or information!

• To all of the above: This is a personal and private matter. As a family member, we wanted to preserve a great business man's integrity and not let the so called "journalists" of the RFT expolit our sorrow. I have never been so disgusted with the media as I am today. I am a firm believer in our first amendment, but there are lines that have been crossed.

• @Sickened: An owner of a couple popular bars in a popular neighborhood commits suicide? For a local paper focused on the nuances of culture in St. Louis' neighborhoods, this is absolutely news. I'm amazed that anyone thinks this is inappropriate or uncommon. I appreciate that this is incredibly difficult for his family, but that ultimately isn't the point of news. At what point would you prefer news organizations to abstain from including details in all the stories they write about individuals.

• @ Sickened: As a general rule we do not delete comments on our blogs, and we did not in this case. This post was also republished on our music and food blogs as Stella Blues was once a music venue and, of course, a restaurant. Your previous comments are alive and well and can be found on those blogs. Here are the shortcuts to the two additional posts. http://tiny.cc/yhQdO http://tiny.cc/QgGq4

• WOW. The RFT has deleted my two comments. So much for the first amendment. To recap: This is a private family matter and to mention he died is one thing. To broadcast the details of his death is heinous and an invasion of privacy. My other comment was to Anonymous: Don't pretend to be providing a PSA about suicide "open and honest" and not sign your name. Your post reads as preachy and defensive. And we're still pulling our ads with the RFT.

• It's a good thing he shot himself in his own bar. Because if he died at home in his sleep, the RFT would have never printed it.

• I feel that bringing the issue of suicide, albeit uncomfortable and painful, to the forefront is a way to make others who have gone through the self-inflicted death of a loved one feel less alone. It also hopefully makes us realize that we can be careful to watch for warning signs in ourselves and others around us. Nobody is exempt from the trials of life and keeping topics hush-hush and making them taboo only feed the disease of depression and make it seem shameful. John was a human being, not infallible and I will be talking about him openly and honestly.

• Shame on you rft for exploiting such a difficult time for John's family.

• RIP

TotalComments: 21