JOHN W. GRACE
10/10/2003

The EG&G Special Projects Roadrunners are saddened to learn of the passing of John Grace, 85 of Albuquerque. John had lived independently, but near his daughter, Martha, since the loss of his wife Ruth, or “Rudie” as her friends called her. They were such a wonderful couple….full of fun and laughter.

John W. Grace, Sr., age 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend went to be with his Lord on October 10, 2006 in Albuquerque , NM . He was born on May 29, 1921 to Joseph W. and Ruth M. (Bailey), Grace in Swissvale , PA. John received his Bachelor's of Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in 1960 then went to work for RCA as a technician in the missile and surface radar division from 1950 to 1966 and advanced to project engineer. In 1966 he began working for EG&G as an engineering executive and advanced to Director of Technical Resources. He retired in 1991. John received a patent for developing a contradirectional waveguide coupler. 

He served in the United States Navy from 1941 until 1945 and fought for his country in WWII. John was a member of IEEE, Instrument Society of America, Association of Old Crows, The American Legion and was the Vice President of the Retired Men's Group Enterprises at Sandia Presbyterian Church. John was listed in several Who's Who in America and in the Who's Who in the world in science and engineering, in finance and industry, and in In The West, plus other international editions.

John was a history buff and enjoyed tracing family genealogy; he made a point to visit all 50 states, loved to work with wood and refinish furniture, was a consummate letter writer and cherished collecting mementos from his youth. Following his retirement he traveled often to visit his children, grandchildren and extended family and friends. John is survived by his four children; Martha Fenstermacher and husband Donald of Albuquerque, Joan Chatfield and husband Keith of Fort Collins, CO, Nancy Malek and husband Jack of Shoreline, WA and John W. Grace, Jr., and wife Sylvia of Mesa, AZ. Eight grandchildren; Ryan Winters, Robyn Fenstermacher, Carmen and Travis Chatfield, Sam Malek, and Kyle, Aaron and Zachary Grace. One sister Adela Laxton of Audubon , NJ ; two half-brothers William Robert Grace and Tomas Edward Grace and one half-sister Isabel Grace. John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Delores (Schroeder) Grace. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 1:00pm at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo del Norte NE, Albuquerque , NM , 87109 , with Reverend Dewey Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to All Faith's Receiving Home: 1709 Moon St, NE 87112 (505) 271-0329 French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

Roadrunners T.D. Barnes, Jim Freedman, Dave Haen, and Wayne Pendleton recall John being part of the Special Projects team at Area 51. Denise Haen worked for John for several years at the EG&G office on Sunset St. in Las Vegas as his secretary. His former associates at EG&G remember him as being a very intelligent individual and very savvy, an individual who would “tell it like it is” as opposed to “telling you what you wanted to hear”.  He would get along with everyone whether you were in the upper echelon, a technician, secretary, etc. He definitely had the “open door” policy at work. Above all he loved his family and was an inspiration to everyone around him. John's friends kept in contact with him over the years and will miss him tremendously.

John will be greatly missed by his fellow Roadrunners.