John died in Los Angeles Sept. 16, 2014.
Born in China, he graduated from Riverdale Country School in New York, where he excelled in soccer, baseball, and track. At Princeton, John served on the Undergraduate Council, was a member of Cannon Club, and captained the track team. He received the Bonthron Trophy for leadership and sportsmanship. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Princeton and a master’s degree in applied physics from Harvard. John cited professors Drake, Mote, and Fenn, track coach Pete Morgan, and philanthropist and confidante Lucy Caldwell for enriching his Princeton experience.
John spent 35 years in engineering as a researcher, project manager, director, vice president, president, and CEO. His work included fluid mechanics and missile reentry as well as the use of lasers to locate submarines, track the space shuttle, and for chip lithography. After suffering a disability in 2000, John became an adjunct professor for George Washington University’s MBA program, and advised students in the college-application process.
John’s major pride was his children: Andrew ’87, Leslie, Derek, and Lauren ’94. The class extends sympathy to John’s family.