John E Anderson

He was born on March 25, 1932, in Pueblo, Colorado, to his father, John Emil Anderson (from Sweden) and his mother, Ruth Viola Nelson (from Kansas). He graduated from Centennial High School in 1950, and the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Denver in 1962 and his PhD in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Refining from Colorado School of Mines in 1978. He earned his certification as a licensed professional engineer in the State of Colorado in 1964. He actively pursued his lifelong dream of becoming the best engineer he could be and inspired his family to reach for their own dreams as well.

John served honorably in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1954 through 1962 as an Ordinance Officer, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. Following his military service, John worked for over 31 years with Martin Marrietta (Lockheed Martin) in their Denver Aerospace Division. He was proudest of his participation in multiple civilian space exploration projects including serving as an engineer in the development of the space shuttle program. He helped design the fuel systems that fed the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the shuttle’s external tank to the orbiter’s main engines during launch. He also developed new technologies for transferring liquid helium and other super-cooled cryogenic liquids in zero-gravity environments to allow for refueling of satellite systems on orbit. He was recognized by NASA and Martin Marrietta multiple times throughout his career for his significant and meaningful contributions to space exploration.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judy Ann Anderson, his daughter, Anna Ruth Johnson, his son, John William Anderson, and his three grandchildren, Nicholas Johnson, Rachel Anderson, and Abigail Johnson. His extended family includes his son-in-law, Raymond Johnson and his daughter-in-law, Christin Anderson.

Arrangements have been made through Callahan-Edfast in Grand Junction. No public funeral services will be held immediately, but a celebration of his life will be held later in the year when, due to their college schedules, his grandchildren will be able to attend.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that individuals wishing to remember John send a charitable contribution in his memory to the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.