A Holocaust survivor and an émigré of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, “Jansci” found his way to Princeton through the Camp Kilmer, N.J., refugee center, to sponsorship by a Princeton ’49 family, employment at Bell Labs, and then admission to Princeton as a sophomore mechanical engineering major.
He perfected his English and immersed himself in Princeton. He joined Elm Club, played varsity soccer and intramural athletics, and participated in numerous engineering-related activities. After earning a master’s degree at Columbia, he began his remarkable engineering career.
“Wafted by a favoring gale” perhaps, but propelled by hard work and application, John advanced through a rising series of engineering-management positions to become head of the oil-field products division of the NVF conglomerate. When that division was spun off in the late 1980s, John and partners purchased it and ran it very successfully until they sold it in 2003.
With much to be proud of, nothing but his family meant more to John than his affection for Princeton. He was active in the Houston Alumni Association and a frequent presence at class reunions. Before his unexpected death Jan. 15, 2018, John and Lois traveled extensively and thoroughly enjoyed the company of their children and grandchildren. The class sends our sympathies to them all.