John Richard Casani

September 17, 1932 - June 19, 2025 Sep 17, 1932 - Jun 19, 2025

John Casani passed away peacefully at the age of 92. A visionary aerospace engineer, loving father, and devoted friend, John helped make interplanetary exploration a reality, inspiring generations through his leadership at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Born in 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John was the son of John Charles Casani and Julia Jean Bateman. He was the oldest of five children. He attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School, known as "St. Joe's Prep," a Jesuit all-boys college preparatory school in Philadelphia, where the values of discipline and service shaped his early character. He went on to earn his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955, where he was captain of the varsity swim team and was a proud member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
He began his career at JPL in 1956, at the dawn of the space age, and soon became one of NASA's most trusted mission leaders. John played pivotal roles in the Ranger and Mariner missions, and later rose to prominence as Project Manager for the Voyager missions-two spacecraft launched in 1977 that continue to transmit data from interstellar space. He also led the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Cassini mission to Saturn, and chaired critical investigation and review boards, including for the Mars Polar Lander and James Webb Space Telescope.
John's unwavering commitment, natural leadership, and unrelenting curiosity shaped the culture at JPL. He was known for his inclusive and often irreverent sense of humor, his fearless honesty, and his ability to build strong, united teams. His home was a gathering place for friends, colleagues, and family, where they celebrated milestones, triumphs, and the simple joy of being together.
John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 39 years, Lynn, who passed away 17 years ago on June 14, 2008. He is survived by his five sons and their families:
* John (Jack), spouse Jen & children, Kalia & Kaleo
* Jason, spouse Megan & sons Jack, Patrick, Charlie & Henry
* Joshua, spouse Starr & children Andrew & Layla
* Drew, spouse Mandy & sons Kane, Luke & John
* Andrew & spouse Audrey
John had three stepchildren. He was preceded in death by Patricia Bruecks in 2017 and is survived by Billy O'Keefe and Kitty O'Keefe. He is also survived by his sister, Anita, and his brother, Drew, and was preceded in death by his brothers, Kane and David. A mentor and father figure to many, John was beloved as "Uncle John" to friends and extended family alike.
John's legacy endures as a guide star for those he inspired to challenge boundaries, think critically, and boldly explore.
Notable achievements and awards: * B.S. degree in electrical engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 1955; * Honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Pennsylvania, 2000; * Honorary Doctorate in Astronautical Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, 2000; * NASA Distinguished Service Medal; * NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal; * NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership; * Management Improvement Award; * AIAA Space Systems Award; * National Aerospace Club's Astronautics Engineer Award; * von Karman Lectureship; * AAS Space Flight Award; * AAS William Randolph Lovelace II Award; * Air and Space Museum Trophy for Lifetime Achievement; * National Academy of Engineering; * AIAA Honorary Fellow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John and Lynn Casani Scholarship Fund at Loyola High School, Los Angeles, where several of John's sons and grandsons attended. Link to scholarship fund: https://www.loyolahs.edu/giving/gifts-in-memoriam/ **(Please reference John R. Casani as the deceased individual.)