Obituary of Dr. John Simon

AIKEN, SC – Dr. John “Jack” G. Simon, went to be with his Lord on January 14, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was a life-long Christian and loved to witness his faith. He held several leadership positions at Holy Cross Lutheran and Hope Lutheran, Idaho Falls, ID and later both at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken as a Stephen Minister and Senior Board Council.

Jack was Past President of ASM International and Past President of ASM Materials Engineering Foundation. He was founder of the ASM Teachers Camp and ASM Materials Camps which were weeklong camps to introduce high school students to possible careers in materials engineering. Jack had a challenging career with General Motors at numerous locations, including Chevrolet-Tonawanda (NY), Chevrolet-Saginaw Metal Casting Plants, Chevrolet-Saginaw Manufacturing, Buick Motor Division, and the General Motors Advanced Engineering Staff, where he pioneered getting industry, government and academia to work together in partnership called the United States Advanced Battery Consortium. He was selected as a White House Fellow and worked in the Executive Office of the President of the United States under President’s Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. His next adventure was at the European Office of Naval Research, London. After retirement from General Motors, Jack became Vice President of the Idaho Engineering Laboratory. He finished his formal career with an exciting challenge to help the Savannah River Site National Lab develop a hydrogen car program.

He graduated from the Executive Program at Carnegie Mellon and obtained his doctorate at La Salle University for Industrial Engineering. He received many honors for his work including a Fellow of ASM and the British Institute of Materials, ASM Honorary Member Award (their highest award), Alan Ray Putnam Award, George Roberts Award, Vannevar Bush Award, Engineer of the Year Award for the State of Michigan, President and Distinguished Life Member of Alpha Sigma MU International Honorary Society, and Distinguished Member Award from the American Ceramic Society. He also was selected as President of the Aiken Senior Men’s Club. Jack’s alma mater, Saginaw Arthur Hill High School recognized him as their 2010 Honor Alumnus.

Jack loved fishing with his family at Higgins Lake. He loved playing euchre with his family and friends and loved to sing. He sang with the Aiken Singers and Masterworks Chorale as well as many church choirs.

He and his wife, Ene, were married for 53 years. They travelled extensively and were very proud of their three daughters and six grandchildren. Ene passed away in 2017, Jack was fortunate to meet and fall in love with Bette Krohn in 2018. Bette and Jack had a wonderful second marriage and traveled the world together. They met at St. John’s United Methodist Church and both loved living in Aiken.

Jack is survived by his wife, Bette; daughters, Cindy Rumbaugh (Max), Canton, MI, Susan Halferty (Matt), Vail, AZ; and Sally Simon, Carmel, IN; six grandchildren, Alexandra, Chase, Grace, Stone, Jack, and Emma; as well as stepchildren, Cheryl Shafer (Greg) and Kevin Krohn (Rachel); and step-grandchildren, Rick, Tara, and Konnor.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Aiken, SC, with The Rev. Dr. Timothy McClendon, Senior Minister, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Ward Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St NW, Aiken, SC 29801.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com