John Berkowitch

John Berkowitch died in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his wife and children, on February 4, 2017. He was born in 1929 in Schaerbeek, a suburb of Brussels, Belgium., to David Berkowitch and Georgette Guggenheim. He attended the Brussels Free University where he met his future wife, Ginou Van Geem. They married in 1954. Having obtained his Doctorate in Physical Organic Chemistry and a Postdoctorate grant spent in Great-Britain, he got an offer of a job from the DuPont Company. In early 1958, they moved to the US, of which they became devoted citizens. His work took him many times to Japan and he came to greatly appreciate the Japanese sense of beauty. After working for DuPont for over 33 years in the Fibers division, John retired in 1991. He and his wife spent the first three years after arriving to the US in Kinston, N.C. then moved to Wilmington. His love of travel took him and his family to much of the country, as well as to Canada and Europe. He is survived by his wife, his children, Michael and Anne, and five granddaughters, Allison, Claire and Merrill Berkowitch as well as Michaela and Julia Friedberg. He is and will be greatly missed. There will be a private service for the family.