George Herbert Jonas

George "Herb" Herbert Jonas, devoted husband and father, died Wednesday, February 22, at his home in Aberdeen. He was 88. Born in Bay City, Michigan, he was the son of the late Edward and Florence (McFarland) Jonas. A brilliant mathematician, Mr. Jonas served in and worked for the US Army for 41 years, with most of his tenure at Aberdeen Proving Ground's Ballistic Research Laboratory (APG - BRL). An active member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, he retired in 1988. Raised in a devoted Catholic family, Mr. Jonas as an altar boy at most morning masses for several years. He and his three brothers worked to help support their extended family during the later years of the Great Depression. In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and – due to his math abilities –was sent to officer's training school at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology where he earned a bachelors degree in mathematics. Mr. Jonas later recalled that, during his basic training, he did not favor firing rifles but instead developed an appreciation for the bazooka and its effect on heavy armor – not surprising because his namesake was St. George. After his military service, he became a civilian mathematician for the US Army at APG. His entire career involved ballistics and armor research. He was part of teams that researched and tested on weapon systems including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and M1 Abrams tank. Mr. Jonas created algorithms and programs which were run on numerous computer systems beginning with the ENIAC and ending with the Cray supercomputer. During this time, he enjoyed bowling and served as a Scoutmaster and other related positions for BSA Troop 961. After his retirement, he contributed to his community by becoming a proponent for racial equality and responsible construction and operation of solid waste facilities. He served as a member of a solid waste planning board for Harford County. Herb and his wife were active in the local Democratic Club and attended a major march supporting health care reform in Washington D.C. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Winifred (Smith) Jonas; two sons; Robert "Larry" Jonas of Conowingo and William H. Jonas of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Leslie A. Osborne of Conestoga, Pennsylvania; a brother John Jonas of Shelby Township, Michigan and three grandchildren, Mara Jonas Lowe, Martha Osborne, and James Jonas. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and Thomas Jonas. A visitation will be held at the Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 1 from 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joan of Arc on Thursday, March 2 at 10:00am. Interment will be in Harford Memorial Gardens.