John Kenneth Stout

1935 - 2021

John Kenneth Stout passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2021. He was born in Norristown, Pa., on Dec. 8, 1935, to John Francis Stout and Evelyn Mae Stout, who lived in Lansdale, Pa. While in school, he sang in a barbershop quartet and performed in a number of operettas. He graduated in 1953 from Lansdale Joint High School and two days later, he got permission from his parents to join the United States Army. He completed basic training in Kentucky with George Patton's tankers group.

He was assigned to the Army Security Agency (ASA) and sent to Fort Devens, Mass., where he was trained in radio and teletype interception and learned to transcribe Morse code. His group there also learned to operate teletype machines. He was labeled as a radio communications interceptor, that is, listening to and recording information from numerous countries relevant to issues related to the United States.

He then was assigned to Arlington Hall, Va. He began to intercept Morse code and teletype transmissions and was designated as a radio communications interceptor, military occupation specialty; 1799. From there he was assigned to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands on the big island of Luzon for 15 months after which he came back to the "states." He used the GI Bill to attend Penn State University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree, a master's degree and a Doctorate of Education degree, which allowed him to become a licensed psychologist. It was there that he met his future wife, JoAnn Cooper. They were married Aug. 20, 1960, and had 60 years of happy married life.

John and JoAnn moved to Scranton, Pa., in 1966 where John taught at the University of Scranton, one of the 28 Jesuit Universities. He was promoted to professor and was appointed as director of the Health Administration Program as well. Dr. Stout was named as chairperson of the Department of Human Resources in 1989. He served as chairperson of the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources until he retired in June 1996; however, he continued to teach part time until he and JoAnn moved to Sarasota, Fla., in August 2012.

Dr. Stout was a recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Teacher, Dexter Hanley College Distinguished Service Award, College of Health, Education and Human Resources, Merit Compensation Increase Award, Award for Faculty Service in the Graduate School, Case Professor of the Year Award, and the Pro Deo et Universitate Award. In appreciation of Dr. Stout's outstanding and memorable contributions to the University of Scranton, the John K. Stout Computer Lab was dedicated in his honor. In Scranton, Pa., John was president of the Retarded Citizens Association, chairmen of the board of directors of Allied Services, president of the United Neighborhood Services and other organizations. He liked to help people.

John enjoyed walking on the beach, playing tourist around Florida, and singing as a tenor for the SRV Singers, a group from his condo association.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; nephew, GR Zechman; and niece, Pamela Jo Evans.

Interment will be at a later date at Sarasota National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name, to either the VFW (www.vfw.org) or the USO (www.uso.org).

Arrangements entrusted to Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL 34232, 941-371-4962.