John August Segletes

JOHN AUGUST SEGLETES, 82 John August Segletes, 82, loving husband of Irene (Brauer) Segletes, devoted father and grandfather, died on Monday afternoon in his home surrounded by family. John was born to the late Elsie and August Segletes in Manayunk, PA, in 1929. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. After graduating from Drexel Institute in 1957, he spent his career as a thermal mechanical engineer, largely in the aerospace industry. One of his most significant professional contributions, while working at General Electric, was in performing the thermal analysis to guide the design of the reentry shield for the first object ever recovered from orbit, the Discover XIII satellite recovery vehicle in August 1960. He contributed to the 2012 book that documents that endeavor, "Intelligence Revolution 1960: Retrieving the CORONA Imagery that Helped Win the Cold War", published by the National Reconnaissance Office. While employed at Martin Company, he worked in wingless air-space craft, precursors to the Space Shuttle. Additionally, at Teledyne, he developed the thermal shield for the SNAP-19 power supply, employed in both the Viking Mars mission and the Pioneer deep-space probe. In his life, he traveled extensively in both North America and Europe. He enjoyed researching and writing comprehensive family genealogies, vegetable gardening, playing pinochle and enjoying his many children and grandchildren. He continued to ponder scientific theories, even upon retirement. He is survived by his wife, Irene, and children, John, Audrey, Steven, Thomas and Lori, as well as nine grandchildren, Karl, Jacob, Jennifer, Eric, Jenia, Noah, Emily, Lilia and Kevin. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. on Saturday from St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Avenue, Gilbertsville. Officiating will be Reverend Christopher L. Weidner. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery. There will be a viewing Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John's hospice provider, Life Choice. www.lifechoicehospice.com of Dresher, PA. Arrangements are by the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, at 359 King St. in Pottstown, PA. Our web site exists to serve the friends and family of the deceased. Go to http://www.schumacherandbenner.com to extend sympathies and access additional service details.