Born in 1927 among the beautiful Hocking Hills of Logan, Ohio, to Dorothy and John E. Krieg, Sr., John (or Ned, as he was called by family and friends) was the eldest of three children. He graduated from Logan High School in 1945, and entered The Ohio State University, but after two quarters was invited to join the US Army, where he studied radar systems and served as a radar technician at the Pentagon. Following military service, he re-entered OSU, graduating in 1952 with a B.S. in Physics.
While an Ohio State student, he met Peggy Biewener on a blind date. “Who wants to get there first?” he shouted out as they all jumped into cars to head out to the lake. Peg responded, “I do!” John was smitten, Peggy too, and they married in 1950.
John’s career was always centered on exciting emerging technologies, beginning with General Electric’s Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion project at Oak Ridge, followed by a move to Crosley, where as a senior engineer he conducted the successful field testing of a radar directed tail gun system for the B-47 bomber.
In 1956, John accepted a position with the Glen L. Martin Company, moving with Peg and their young family to Orlando. He joined the nation’s fledgling space program on the Vanguard Project, whose goal was to orbit the first American satellite. Although that goal was not achieved, the project did successfully orbit three spacecraft. Later that year, John and family moved to Cocoa Beach, where he was Vanguard’s flight test program rocket engineer, directing the engineering support of ten launch operations. When the Vanguard project was completed, John became manager of Martin’s MACE operations, directing some ten flight operations.
In 1961, the family moved inland to Merritt Island, and John joined the newly formed Aerospace Corporation where, until his retirement, he was project engineer and manager of spacecraft operations for a variety of spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
A life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, John served many years as an elder in local congregations, and on committees of the St. Johns Presbytery (ARP). He supported and encouraged his wife, Peg, in their work in jail ministry and other community outreaches. He was a servant leader, a quiet man who lead by example. He loved God, had an unashamed faith, and an awe of this magnificent universe. His children and grandchildren adore him, being thankful always for how he inspired and encouraged them, for the example he set in integrity, love, joy, enthusiasm, patience, kindness, and diligence.
John was an avid photographer, a hi-fi audio aficionado, and an enthusiastic handyman. He enjoyed playing rousing games of croquet, volleyball, bridge, hearts, euchre, and other family activities, indoors and out. He loved watching football, too, especially Buckeye football! John operated a small citrus grove, and over the years tried his hand at two start-up business ventures as well. John loved all kinds of music and was an inspiration to his children in their music endeavors. He loved big, and was openhearted and generous.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 63 years, Margaret “Peg” Krieg, and his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Mary Ellen Krieg. He is survived by his sister Marjorie (Dick) Dollison; his children Christina (Carlton) Hibbard, Fred (Susan) Krieg, Steve Krieg, Hope (Gary) Heredia, and Lou Ann (Donny) Linton; grandchildren Lillian and Bonny Hibbard; Jake (Melinda), Michael, and Matthew (Ellen) Heredia; Peter (Amy) and Sam (Chelsea) Krieg; Logan (Chloë) and Hannah Linton; and two great grandsons, Lucas and JD.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Hospice of St. Francis for their compassionate, loving, and professional care.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32952. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Teen Missions International (885 East Hall Road, Merritt Island, FL 32953) or to The Special Gathering of Brevard (P.O. Box 685, Cocoa, FL 32923). Condolences may be shared at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5