Jack Winzeler

1927 - 2012

HOPKINTON - Jack Winzeler, 84, of Hopkinton, passed away at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home the evening of Thursday, June 21st, 2012 surrounded by his sons.

Born August 13th, 1927 in Toldeo, Ohio, to George Franklin Winzeler and Marie (Lofink) Winzeler. Jack was an only son and married Nancy Jane (Lewis) Winzeler in 1949.

Jack graduated early from Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio in 1944 to enter the Navy as they prepared for the invasion of Japan. The war ended early and he was discharged to start his college career at the University of Michigan, getting his degree in physics. While still in college, Jack married his lifelong sweetheart Nancy Lewis. Born on the same year, on the same street, the two started going steady at the age of 12 and continued for the next 66 years until Nan's passing in 2005.

Jack began his scientific career at Strong Electric in Toledo but soon answered the call of NASA and moved to Southern California to work with other physicists on the space program. His job there was as a plasma physicist figuring out how to build a rocket capable of launching a man into space- as well as bringing him back safely.

Jack figured out that alloys (combinations of metals) would insulate the capsule and keep it cool. He helped to create a plasma furnace that got so hot that these alloys would vaporize and could be sprayed on the skin of the space vehicle to deflect the enormous heat of reentering our dense atmosphere.

NASA began testing the first space ships- called Mercury, with the first occupant being a chimp named Ham. He was launched into space and came back down as "cool as a cucumber." Shortly after, Alan Shepard (our New Hampshire Astronaut) also came back safe and sound. Shepard thanked a lot of people- including Jack Winzeler.

Jack was a man of many interests- ranging from rebuilding antique clocks, hunting for exotic swords, or reading science fiction, he was never bored. He loved his family, his dogs, and his sports cars. He always had time to help his friends whether it was serving as a Deacon at the First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, sharing a laugh with a stressed neighbor, or using his NASA-caliber engineering skills to fix a chair-leg. Best remembered for his bright turquoise eyes and a smile that could light up the room.

Jack is survived by his two sons John Winzeler, Jr. and his wife Tricia of Sandwich, Mass. and Mark Winzeler of Hopkinton. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Abby Winzeler of Portsmouth, Katrina Winzeler of Berkeley, Calif., Alexandra Winzeler of Newton, Mass., Miles Winzeler of Hopkinton, as well as many long time friends.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, June 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holt Woodbury Funeral Home in Henniker.

Services will be held Thursday, June 28, at 12 Noon at the First Congregational Church in Hopkinton.

Burial will immediately following the service at the Hopkinton Village Cemetery.

Following the burial, there will be a reception back at the First Church Parish House.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Jack's name to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

For more information log onto www.holtwoodburyfh.com.