John David Offutt

John "Jack" David Offutt, aged 88, passed away on July 4, 2024, in Bethesda, Maryland. Born on January 11, 1936, in Queens, New York, Jack was known for his intellect, charm, wit and warmth; qualities that endeared him to many throughout his life.

Jack earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and furthered his education as a PhD candidate at the California Institute of Technology.

For the first decade of his career, he worked on a variety of advanced engineering development projects at Thompson Ramo Wooldridge, PneumoDynamics Corporation and Western Gear Corporation, followed by four decades at the Department of Defense, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock Division, where he was a respected Senior Project Engineer and Manager. He was instrumental in the development of several Naval and Marine Corps strategic sealift systems and high speed watercraft including the LCAC, SES200, and JHSV. His tremendous impact was recognized over the course of his career with several awards.

After his retirement, Jack returned to NSWC as a mentor for young engineers in the Center for Innovation in Ship Design. He was described as bringing "a wealth of knowledge gained from over 40 years of working a wide variety of ship and ship systems projects. Mr. Offutt has had the advantage of seeing the design process from both sides, first as an engineer in industry working on ship-related systems and then as government engineer, team leader, and project manager for advanced ship design and concepts." In this role, he guided these interns with critical understanding, patience and wisdom well into his retirement years.

Beyond his professional life, Jack was a true connoisseur of the finer things, embodying the spirit of a sommelier. His love for wine was matched by his passion for travel, exploring new cultures, and savoring the world's various landscapes and cuisines. He was also a committed patron of the theatrical arts and had a profound appreciation for music, which brought joy and enrichment to his life.

He is survived by Elizabeth, his loving wife of 59 years; his daughter Dr. Laura Anne Offutt; his son-in-law Dr. Steven Fukuchi; his grandchildren Alexander Scott Fukuchi and Claire Elise Fukuchi. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emily Offutt; and his brothers, Warren and William Offutt.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for a later date.