JOHN T. TENGDIN

1926 - 2017

JOHN T. TENGDIN John T. Tengdin, a long-time resident of San Clemente went peacefully to be with our Lord, December 28, 2017. He was born in South Bend, IN, on Aug. 26, 1926, to Agnes and E.T. Tengdin and raised primarily in Kansas City, MO, graduating from Westport High School in 1943. As a youth, he was active in Scouting achieving the coveted rank of Eagle, a "warrior" in the honorary Tribe of Mic-O-Say and was the first from his hometown of Kansas City to go to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, NM. John's wanderlust began on annual family trips as a child to New Mexico and compliments of the US Navy through tours of duty in WWII and the Korean War visited, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Gulfport MS, Korea (including the 38th parallel), and Japan (including Hiroshima). He graduated with honors in 1949 from Purdue University, with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was inducted in Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi. John met his future wife Carol, a Chicago native, on a blind date while both lived in California. They later married in 1952 and began their married life in Kansas City. John and Carol were married 61 years until her death in 2013. John's wanderlust continued to be fed by his long employment with General Electric. Postings with GE included Kansas City, Joplin, MO, Chicago, Phoenix and Philadelphia with a short stint with Honeywell in Boston. He retired from GE in 1985 moving to California and beginning a second career as a valued consultant to the electric utility industry in 1986. He was honored with prestigious IEEE fellow in 2007 for his work on electrical standards. Living in San Clemente for more than 30 years, he was active in civic affairs serving on various committees and running for public office as well. He served as a San Clemente Planning Commissioner for 9 1/2 years, a representative to the city to the Downtown Business Association, San Clemente Dons and Rotary International where he was well known for his annual 4th of July corn shucking. John loved to sing and was member of San Clemente group that was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. He also sang Bass with a men's octet that only two years ago featured him in the performance of his favorite, Lida Rose. For many years he also sang in the San Clemente Presbyterian Church choir where he and Carol were long time members. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol as well as sister Phyllis Werner. He is survived by his three children, Thomas (Debra) of San Luis Obispo, Richard (Mary) of Costa Mesa and Elizabeth (Darrell) of Newbury Park as well as four grandchildren, Conor, Dillon, Bridget and Amy and his brother Robert (Dorothy) of Minneapolis. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 24, at San Clemente Presbyterian Church.