John Shearer, M.D., a member of the Class of 1962, died of pancreatic cancer Nov. 18 in Petaluma, Calif. He was 77.

Born in Kokomo, Ind., Shearer was born in Kokomo, Ind., and later moved to Detroit with his family. He graduated among the top in his class in medical school, and two years later moved to Petaluma and joined the El Rose Medical Group. He served as president of the medical staffs of Hillcrest Hospital in 1974 and Petaluma Valley Hospital in 1986. He was the chairman of the Ethics Committee at PetalumaValley for several years until 2005.

Family members said he served on a number of boards, including the California Physicians Alliance, a chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program that advocates for a single-payer, national health insurance. He helped create the Children's Healthcare Access Coalition, which led to a program that provides health insurance for children in Sonoma County. He volunteered at the Jewish Community Free Clinic, serving as its medical director for two years.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Annette Moussa of Petaluma; son, David Shearer of Gig Harbor, Wash.; sisters, Marianna Shearer and Linda Rook; and three grandchildren.