John B. Fecht Jr.

John Benjamin Fecht Jr. joined his Lord on Oct. 19, 2004 while at home in W. Richland; W A. John was surrounded by his loving family during a courageous battle against cancer and left this earth in the arms of his wife and children. John was born in Toluca, IL on August 15, 1918. He attended school in Rockwell City and Dubuque, lA, and obtained his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1942.

After graduating, John joined the DuPont Company in Charleston, WV, where he specialized in high pressure chemical synthesis equipment design. It was there that he married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Haltenhoff, and they made Charleston their first home. They later moved to Ann Arbor, MI where John taught mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. In 1947, John joined the General Electric Company at the Hanford Atomic Works in Richland, WA, where he was employed in process engineering design and later as manager of Facilities Engineering in the nuclear energy field and in nuclear defense systems. He was employed by Isochem, Atlantic Richfield, and Rockwell International in the same position as these companies performed nuclear energy and production contracting services for the U. S. Government. He retired in 1980 to enjoy taking an active part in his grandchildren's lives and to travel throughout the world. John was also active in the community, serving on the Benton County Planning Board, as an officer in PTA, in the International Christian Youth Exchange Program, and at Central United Protestant Church. He was a member of the Richland Kiwanis Club, where he acted as a Hanford Key Club advisor.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Betty; a son, Karl R. Fecht and his wife Judy of Richland; daughter, Barbara A. Fecht of W. Richland; grandchildren: Janelle and her husband Chris Laskowski of Snoqualmie, W A; Kriss Fecht of McMinnville, OR; and Marci Fecht of Seattle, W A; and great-grandchildren, Maddie and Brendan Laskowski. He is also survived by a brother, Lloyd Fecht of Mechanicsville, VA; nephews Jon Curtis and Paul Fecht; and niece Kerry Eller. Preceding John in death were his parents, John B. Fecht Sr. and Emma J. Fecht, his eldest son John B. Fecht ill, and his brother Russell Fecht who passed away just a few hours before John.

A memorial service will be held at Central United Protestant Church on October 30 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, John suggested memorial contributions be sent to Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 50020/S-200, Seattle, Washington 98145-5020.

John's favorite poem: In Memory of a Man among Men adapted from a poem by Mary Frye 1932

Do not stand about and weep I did not die, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I'm a diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the autumn rain When you awake in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of birds circling in flight I am the stars that shine at night So do not stand about and weep I did not leave, I do not sleep I am the smile upon your face I am the happiness you embrace I did not die, I do not sleep I am