John R. Dunki-Jacobs

John R. Dunki-Jacobs, 87, peacefully entered the Kingdom of the Lord on Saturday, February 21, 2009, at his home in Lynden, WA, surrounded by his family, relatives, and close friends, after post operative complications from aortic valve replacement surgery. Born in the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) on April 19, 1922, John began his lifelong pursuit of living the values of Scouting's founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell. He was an Eagle Scout and explored the island of Java on an 1,800 km bicycle journey through tropical jungles and mountain ranges. Later, he achieved Scouting's Gilwell Woods Badge recognition. Drafted into the Dutch Navy in 1941 and barely surviving three harsh years in Japanese POW camps, John further risked his life to secretly continue his higher education under the guidance of fellow POW's. After the war, he completed his studies at the Higher Technical College of Amsterdam and returned to the Indies as a refinery power plant manager. In 1950, he married Louise Linck, and started their family. Sponsored for U.S. immigration by Raymond B. Wade, he was hired by General Electric Co. in Lynn, MA, in 1953. Transferring to Schenectady in 1956, "Dunki" began a distinguished career as a power system engineer. His projects spanned the globe and his designs received numerous awards. Retiring after 30 years with G.E., he founded Industrial Power Systems, Inc., serving as president, design consultant and lecturer, until 1995. "Dunki" was a Fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His IEEE honors include the "R.H. Kaufmann Award" (1991), the prestigious "Medal for Engineering Excellence" (1996), and the "Millennium Medal" (2000). In 2008, he achieved his longtime goal of publishing the first comprehensive Industrial Power Systems Grounding Design Handbook. In the Schenectady area for 25 years, John was a Deacon of the Second Reformed Church, and a founding member of the Christ Community Reformed Church. In 1985, he became a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Oak Hills, OR. In 1990, he was attracted to Lynden, WA, for its beauty and shared Dutch heritage, and attended the Grace Baptist Fellowship. John is survived by Louise, his wife of 59 years, and three children, Robert and Kerry Dunki-Jacobs of Mason, OH, Winifred and Timothy Straightiff of Newark, DE, Raymond and Marjorie Dunki- Jacobs of Williston, VT. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Erik and Adam Dunki-Jacobs of Cincinnati, OH, Amy and Abigail Dunki-Jacobs of Williston, VT, Rachael Straightiff of Newark, DE, Garrett Clark of Orange County, CA, and Dalton Clark of Cincinnati, OH. Also John's sister, Johanna Dunki-Jacobs of Heemstede, The Netherlands. Waiting in heaven was John's youngest son, Walter Nicholas Dunki-Jacobs (1973), and his brothers, Richard, Bart, Louis, and Fred. There will be a memorial celebration at Christ Community Reformed Church in Clifton Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. Memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Christ Community Reformed Church, 1010 Rt. 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065, or to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 800 E. Chestnut, Suite 1-C, Bellingham, WA 98225.