Joseph August Kohlbeck

1927 ~ 2022

Salt Lake City, UT-Joseph August Kohbeck was born April 3, 1927, in Pittsburg PA to George and Frances Baumann Kohlbeck (deceased).

Joe served in the Asian Pacific during World War II. He was a graduate of Duquesne University specializing in optical crystallographic methods of analysis. Joe was a seventy-year emeritus member of the American Chemical Society.

He married Margaret Schaffold on September 15, 1951, at the St Basil's Catholic Church. They had five children: Ann of Oaron, VA, David of Boise, ID, Nancy of Salt Lake City, Kathleen of Salt Lake City (deceased), and Lorena of Salt Lake City. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He also loved his dogs and their many walks. He enjoyed playing golf and working in his yard.

Joe began his work career in 1951 with Consolidated Coal Research in Liberty PA. He later joined Hercules Aerospace in 1961 in Salt Lake City, UT. He transferred to Radford Arsenal VA in 1966 on the Sprint Program. While at Radford, his analytical group was funded by Picatinny Arsenal New Jersey to make a detailed study of the only continuous TNT operating lines at Radford Arsenal. He transferred back to the Bacchus Utah facility in 1971 to work on the C4 and D5 rocket motor programs. He enjoyed his time working for Hercules as they were a first-class company. They gave him the opportunity to establish the only optical crystallographic laboratory in the aerospace industry which served Hercules well.

Joe retired in 1989 when Hercules was purchased by Alliant Techsystems. After retirement, he took a consulting position for Andrulis Research for five years working on Dugway related projects. After that he spent his time playing golf and tending to his yard.

The family has requested no flowers. Donations should be sent to the MS Society of Utah, 370 E 9th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.

Private services are planned.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Kohlbeck

Sponsored by City View Mortuary - Salt Lake City.

5 Entries

Bill Rideout

December 3, 2022

Joe was a regular at the Saturday evening Mass at St. Thomas More. Like all of us, he gravitated to the same area of the church every week. Sometimes we didn't get our preferred area. Sometimes he didn't get his preferred area. Then, magically, one evening at the greeting, I turned around to shake hands with whomever was sitting behind us - and there he was!!!! It was then that I noticed his INCREDIBLE Duquesne University class ring!!! After Mass I walked out with him and asked a LOT of questions about his ring, his roots in Pennsylvania and shared my recollections of basketball games between Duquesne and my school - Canisius in Buffalo, NY. As time went by, I learned a lot about his schooling, his career, his family and his love of dogs. I really looked forward to visiting with him after Mass. If he wasn't there for some reason, it was quite disappointing. Then Covid struck. The church was closed for months, we moved back to NY State and I never saw Joe again. He was an incredible person!! It was impossible not to like Joe and impossible not to feel better just talking to him for 5 minutes. He was a gift to everyone who knew him. I will definitely find Joe again in the next dimension!! He radiates so much love, he can't hide!!!

Todd Perkins

November 29, 2022

I always enjoyed talking to Joe. I miss seeing him on his daily walks around the neighborhood. He had a very interesting career and cool stories about his chemical engineering work with Hercules. Joe was an actual rocket scientist. He always reminded me about his golf hole-in-ones. I think he had 6 of them. We were also fellow Pittsburgh Steelers fans and enjoyed talking about the games. We will miss you Joe. Todd, Marcy, & Matt Perkins.

JONI KAYE GEURTS

November 27, 2022

We are so sad to hear of Joe´s passing. We have missed our neighbors of 30 years and send our love and condolences to Mickey and the entire family. Jim and Joni Geurts

Ken Verdoia

November 25, 2022

Joe was a friend and neighbor, and a wonderful figure on his daily walks. Always with pockets full of biscuits to share with every dog he would encounter. Well into his nineties he would work his was through the neighborhood and parks he loved. A fine, fine man.

Steve Duggins

November 23, 2022

I enjoyed Joe's love for dogs. He always had a pocket full of treats, and every dog got one.
He will be sorely missed, by both me and my dogs.

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