John W. Coburn

1933 - 2018

John W. Coburn
November 9, 1933 - November 28, 2018
San Jose
John W. Coburn passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home with family by his side, on November 28, 2018 at age 85 from complications of MSA, an A-Typical Parkinson Disease that was diagnosed 2 years ago. John was born in Vancouver, B.C. Canada years ago and proudly retained his Canadian citizenship
After his high school graduation at 17, John attended Royal Roads Military College near Victoria, B.C. on a two year scholarship. John stayed in Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia (UBC) majoring in Engineering Physics. He continued at UBC for his Masters Degree in Theoretical Physics. Because John had the opportunity to work with an internationally known Physicist, in 1958, he chose the University of Minnesota to do his graduate work in Electrical Engineering for is PhD. After completing his thesis and graduating, he applied and was accepted at Simon Fraser University in New Westminster, British Columbia for a one year Post Doctoral Fellowship.
While in Graduate school, John joined the American Vacuum Society (AVS), a volunteer organization which recognizes and supports distinguished college students in science. The AVS became a very important part of John's professional life. He was active both locally and Nationally. He was Treasurer for many years and President of the National Society in 1988. He was also an honorary member of the AVS.
After completing his Post-Doctoral Fellowship, John was hired by IBM and started his career in July of 1988. He spent the next 25 years, until his retirement in 1993, in Research at IBM in San Jose doing what he loved most, Research. He was highly regarded, respected, and recognized for his work at IBM. John's boss of 25 years, Eric Kay said, "John designed and ran some of the most insightful and elegant experiments that led to an understanding and development of one of the key processes used in the semi-conductor industry (reactive ion etching). Today, this process has played a crucial role in the progress made in Nano-science and Technology. In general, a field which had impacted all our lives in so many ways." After retiring, John worked part time as a Senior Research Associate in Chemical Engineering at Berkeley, advising and mentoring graduate students. John enjoyed consulting work and teaching, which he continued doing for several years after his retirement.
John was a gentle soul who will be remembered for his intellect, attention to detail, humility, sense of humor, kindness and the caring, helpful and supportive life that he led. His pleasant disposition, warm embrace and subtle, yet undeniable empathy that he felt for those around him speaks volumes about the kind of husband, father, grandfather and friend that he was.
As a young boy, John spent considerable time with his maternal grandfather who had worked as a Postmaster in Canada and introduced John to postage stamp collecting, a hobby that he enjoyed his entire life. Because John retired early, he and his wife, Sharon had the opportunity to travel the world extensively. Many will remember John for his very unique and one of a kind car. He was the proud owner of a 1965 gold Chevy Biscayne that was covered with countless dents/scrapes. He had that car from Grad school until he retired, over 30 years and over 300,000 miles with one engine.
John is survived by his children, David (Rosey), Stephen and his #1 grandson, Alec. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Judy) his niece Kathy (Carmen, deceased), his nephew Michael (Kristina), Theo and his brother David (Marilyn) who all reside in Canada. John leaves his loving wife Sharon of 52 wonderful years of marriage whom he met at a Tall Club (Tip Toppers) in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1964 and married in 1966.
As per Johns wishes, no services are planned.
Sweetie, may you Rest in Peace. We all love and miss you very much.


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