John Bonney Shipp III

Dear Family,

I worked with John for years at Dahlgren. He was a great person, a dedicated worker, a stickler for details, and a devoted family member. He set the bar very high for our certification efforts of combat systems, and we still think of him when cert events are going on, knowing he would be drilling us for the unbiased truth!

My God Bless you at this time of loss.

Sincerely,
Denise

I only got to work with John on a few tasks at Dahlgren, but got to know him well enough to realize he was a great guy.

John was my boss very early in my career, well over 30 years ago. He was an excellent mentor and a true friend - a friend to everyone around him. He was patient and eager to do the best job for the Navy that he could, and he instilled a spirit of caring in all of his coworkers and subordinates. His is a great loss, may God bless him and his family.

During his extensive career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, John's experience ran the gamut from equipment design and fabrication to Naval combat system certification. His systems engineering knowledge was considerable and generously shared with any one who would ask. His participation in and leadership of panels, committees and teams was well known and well respected. However, in his personal life John was a private man.

Few if any of his colleagues knew much about John away from the office. During a past holiday season, John was asked if he had any plans. He grumbled about loading his toolbox into is car and heading south to be with his siblings and their families, where he would be expected to fix their computers and help some of the older children with school projects. From a statement like this, one might presume John to be a bit of a curmudgeon where his family was concerned, but the truth of the matter is quite the opposite. John relished his time with his family. When he was subsequently asked why he didn't just leave the toolbox with his family enabling them to fix their own problems and permitting him to avoid another seasonal trip. He replied only that the chance, however remote, that it could come to pass and that he wouldn't be invited was one of his greatest fears. It was later learned that John not only spent the holidays with his family but many of his summer vacations as well. The grumbling, it turns out, was not because he didn't enjoy the company of his family and any opportunity to aid them, but merely the deflection of question of a personal nature.

This latest holiday season John was in the hospital recovering from a recurrent pneumonia infection and could not make the annual trip south. However, there can be no doubt that had he known that this was to be his last Christmas, he would have been with those he loved, even if he had to walk all the way to Norfolk with his toolbox in hand.

John was one of the kindest people I have ever known. I worked with John for many years at NSWC and time after time witnessed his willingness to help anyone be as successful as possible. On more than one occasion, I was the recipient of his generosity. I will always remember the day many years ago, when I found a little "sticky" note on my desk that read, (ATTA-GIRL!). It was a special thank-you from John. A very honest and humble man. My sincere condolences to the family.

John was Robert's elder brother, but he never treated me as an undesirable in-law. Rather, he treated me as a sister. He was Best Man at our wedding.
John introduced me to technology. I was a new teacher in 1983, and he gave me my first computer. He told me that word processing a document would be much easier than typing it and later updating in on my old typewriter. This was in the days of DOS, before Windows. John furnished me with several other computers after that: "You have to stay abreast with technology. You don't want your students to know more than you." When Windows invaded the scene, John taught me how to work behind it, to continue using the DOS I preferred - until Windows became so advanced that we both finally had to accept it.
John was always available to answer a question on some - any - aspect of technology. He gave us our first VCR and later our first DVD player. Unfortunately, my own children learned his instruction for their use and the use of the TV remote long before I did.
Robert has never caught on to any aspect of technology. (He barely knows how to use his smartphone!) Therefore, I would sometimes seek John's help with a tech question. Although I may have wanted a short, quick answer, John always provided a much more thorough explanation.
The only aspect of technology John never caught onto was the phone: He stuck by his clamshell, joking that it was his "dumb phone" in contrast to my smartphone.
John loved the movies and would often recommend one that he had recently seen, or dissuade Robert from taking me to another that was not "worthy" of our patronage. Sully was his last recommendation.
John was a voracious reader, of both fiction and non-fiction. Any - and every - subject interested him.
These memories and many others will be treasured. John was the brother I never had. I love him, and I miss him. May he rest in Peace.

John and I were co-workers on the Release and Certification Panels for multiple combat system elements, and on the SLQ-32 project. John was one of the most honest brokers towards his work, who always truly strove to make sure the warfighter got the best product possible. He was also very willing to work with junior engineers to help them with their projects. John's solo focus was that of doing our best, and I never once saw him worry about personal recognition. The Navy and society just lost one of the most caring persons that I have ever known. John will be sorely missed, as they don't make them like that any more.

I am deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. John was by far one of the most good and decent, honest and principled men I have ever known. I worked for only a couple of years in support of his effort at Dahlgren, where he tirelessly dedicated himself to ensuring the fleet received safe, well-tested weapon systems. He had a highly developed sense of right and wrong and prided himself on being an "honest broker" delivering the real story, good or bad. He was an amazing role model.

I last heard from John on the 29th of December, when he wrote to tell me how glad he was to be home from the hospital, how confident he was in his ability to move past his recent illness and live independently, and how much better he felt to get "an overdue haircut". I have had lunch with him a couple of times each year, though we have not worked together in over a decade, and always I was amazed by his positive attitude and felt lucky to enjoy his friendship.

With his birthday coming up, I was looking forward to seeing my friend again -- while I am shocked and saddened that my last memory of him will be of him walking out of a lecture series at Mary Washington College when I only had a few moments to exchange words instead of our lunch tradition, my heart goes out tonight to all those who were even closer to him, as he was truly a wonderful human being. I know all of you must truly miss him so much more. Please know my thoughts are with you, and I hope you find comfort in your own memories.

I worked with John at BCI after his retirement from the government. He was always so kind and his love for his family was clear - I enjoyed getting to know him and am so sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family.

John and I were patients together at the cardiac rehabilitation facility at Mary Washington Hospital for several months this past year. I had spent 31 years in the navy, going to sea in ships and submarines. He and I exchanged many "sea stories" about naval ordnance/weapons "adventures at sea", including fire control systems, radar, guns and missiles-some unbelievable, but mostly true. We were in contact by email. I am sad to learn of John's death. He will be missed at the rehabilitation facility by staff, patients and me.