John H. Licht

John H. Licht

AGE: 84 • Newton, PA

John H. Licht, of Newtown, PA passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at home with close family by his side. He was 84. Born in Union, NJ, he was the son of the late John and Lucille Strenning Licht. John graduated from Middletown Township High School in 1947 and earned both a bachelor and master degree in engineering from Newark College of Engineering.

In 1952, John married the "girl next door," Joan (nee Minor), and began an accomplished career as an engineer and inventor, which included being recognized as a pioneer in designing tape recorders for use in spacecraft. He went to work with the U.S. Army Signal Corps Research and Development Lab in Fort Monmouth, NJ, where he was the project engineer responsible for the development of recorders used on the Vanguard II, the first weather reporting satellite, and on Project SCORE, the first communications satellite. It was the recorder on SCORE that transmitted the first audio message from outer space, a recording by President Eisenhower in December 1958 conveying "America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere."

John was also associated with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, developing recorders for use by NASA, the United Kingdom and the European Space Research organization. He subsequently joined Lockheed Electronics Co., becoming Director of Engineering and then Director of Research and Development.

John retired in 1990 from the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster PA, and spent his subsequent years with his wife, Joan, in Newtown. Engineering was not only John's life work, but as he often said, it was his "fun." Over the years, he designed and built three of his homes. John also designed a home for his brother. Those who knew him will remember him as the "go to guy" who could provide advice on how to do just about anything. John also enjoyed traveling, and was always up for a good joke.

John is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 62 years; his daughter, Cindy Carlson, son-in-law Eric, two grandchildren; his son, Jim and his brother, Robert Licht.

Family and friends will hold a gathering at a later date to celebrate his life. Contributions in memory of John may be made to: Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111. Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, Doylestown, PA, is in charge of arrangements. www.reedandsteinbach.com