John Frederick Schoeppel

SCHOEPPEL John Frederick Schoeppel died August 22, 2004 at Baptist Medical Center after a long struggle with heart disease at the age of 86. Born October 25, 1917 in South Bend, Indiana he was educated and established his career in the Midwest. He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1939 with Bsc degree in engineering. He held jobs in engineering, management and research and development. He worked at Honeywell Corporation in Minneapolis, Mn designing gyroscopes for WWII aircraft. Following this he worked with Bill Lear on airplane autopilots in Grand Rapids, Mi. He is credited with many patents during these years; autopilots for airplanes, gyroscopes and flight reference displays. He was an executive vice president at Veriflo Corporation in Richmond, Ca., from 1971 to 1998 designing and building equipment for semiconductor production. Patents were awarded for this work as well. After retiring at age 81, he devoted more time to his numerous hobbies. He alwa ys had a shop for metal and woodworking. Projects included making a sailboat, motorboat, canon, balance beam, and baby furniture for the grand children. He was an audiophile and built speakers and a turntable. He and his wife enjoyed traveling with their favorite trip being to Australia. He believed that “ Boldness is Genius.” Surviving are his wife Jacqueline Schoeppel; daughter, Pamela Einarsen and husband Paul of Wesport Ct; daughter Sonja Schoeppel and husband Mark LaVigne of Jacksonville; and four grandchildren, Connor Einarsen, Carson Einarsen, Kristen LaVigne and Ryan LaVigne. The Funeral Service will be held 2pm Wednesday August 25, 2004 in the Chapel of Hardage-Giddens, 4115 Hendricks Avenue with Reverend Robert Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to Baptist Medical Center, 800 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville, Fl., 32207.
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