JOHN J. HODA

HODA JOHN J. Age 91, of Schwenksville, Pa., a retired General Electric Company Aerospace Engineer, slipped peacefully into God's loving arms January 19th, 2022. John worked for General Electric for 44 years. He started his career in Schenectady, NY at the GE Research Laboratory. His service was interrupted when he joined the US Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank of Electricians Mate Third Class Petty Officer. He returned to General Electric resuming his career at the Malta Test Station performing activities in the research and development of the rocket engines we now know as the launch vehicles for our ballistic missiles and space program. His career continued with a transfer to the GE Space Division in Philadelphia and King of Prussia where he had several assignments in System Test, Project Management, and Quality Assurance. He was especially proud of the key responsibilities he had in the development of the first Nimbus Weather Satellite, several Communication Satellite Programs and the MATSCO DAS3 Logistics Program. An early project of his GE team was Corona, the world's first photo reconnaissance satellite, a pioneering work of space technology declassified only in 1995. His work on Corona was recognized by the Engineering Societies in Delaware Valley by inducting him to The Delaware Valley Hall of Fame in 2007. During his career he was very active in furthering his education and enhancing his technical expertise. While working at GE he attended night school at Union College, Schenectady, NY in pursuit of a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of the G E Elfun Society, The American Society for Quality Control, The Armed Forces Communication and Electronic Association, and he was on the Quality Assurance Committee; Aerospace Industries Association. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post#602, Spring City, Pa. Known by many as "The Silver Fox" he enjoyed life and friendships. He had a passion for golf (even though he couldn't master it). He entered and won many contests and sweepstakes and "a day without entering a contest was like a day without sunshine." His E-mail jokes and stories were legend. He was predeceased by his wife, Pauline Hoda (nee Madsen), his sister, Agnes Donohue (nee Hoda) and sister, Helen Schatmeier, (nee Hoda) Hollister, CA,. He is survived by 3 children, Kathy Ann Rhodes (Bill), Schwenksville, PA, Timothy Paul Hoda, Maple Shade, N.J, John Andrew Hoda (Gloria), Milford, CT and five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and more than a friend, the love of his life, Marylou Boryta. Funeral Service will be private to immediate family. Interment will be private in General Washington Memorial Park, Stenton Ave and Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. 19462. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Franciscan Shelter, 209 Emmet St., Phoenixville, PA 19460 tel. #610-933-3097 (www.stmarysfs.org). A celebration of his life will take place in the Spring. Tributes and Memories may be shared in a Guest Book at: www.Legacy.com