Joseph Alan Birt

Joseph Birt, born December 20, 1934, age 87, died peacefully at his home in Jensen Beach, Florida, on October 8, 2022. Joe was a devoted husband and father. Caring, mild and compassionate, he also had a keen intellect and a great situational sense of humor, surprising everyone with a well-timed pun. This kind, sweet man lived a long and valued life.

In Berwick, Pennsylvania, the son of an engineer, Joe was born to fly. He became a pilot in high school, and after graduating from Penn State University in psychology in 1958, he joined the US Air Force as an officer. After logging over 2,000 hours flying as a transport pilot, he was taken off the flight duty and “flew a desk” into the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In between plane and desk flying, Joe earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Human Factors / Industrial Psychology from Purdue University. As a human factors specialist in Air Force systems engineering organizations, he served as the Technical Director of the Aerospace Medical R&D division and of the Human Factors Division of the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory. But don’t ask the details. They’re classified. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal along with numerous accolades throughout his long career.

In 1984 after 25 years of service, Joe retired from the Air Force to work as a research scientist, project manager, and Senior Systems and Human Factors engineer. He worked on projects as varied as assessing the Three Mile Island incident, developing human – computer interfaces, human factors training for the F-16, and multiple projects improving safety for the FAA. He was the organizer and second Chairperson of the DoD Human Factors Engineering Advisory Group and a long-time contributing member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Since retiring a second time, Joe has devoted his time to his hobbies and community service. In Jensen Beach, Florida, where he moved in 2003, his neighbors saw him frequently tooling around on his bike with his toy poodle, Ginger, in the basket. Ginger was his constant companion and fast friend. Taking up

photography, he documented the building of the Jensen Beach bridge and the nature beauty of Florida.

As a long-standing member of the Jensen Beach Community Church, Joe returned to serving the homeless, as he had earlier in Atlantic City, NJ. He served on committees providing assistance to the homeless, and for years every Thursday, helped prepare food for homeless people. He championed progressive causes.

Joe has gracefully endured dementia over many years which gradually slowed him down but never diminished his caring or gratitude. During his last few years, he enjoyed going to an Alzheimer’s day care center calling it the “funny farm.” When asked why, he said, “that’s where I get to be funny for others.” He will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. His ability to endure difficulties with positiveness and dignity set him apart among his peers.

Joe is survived by his wife, Patricia Birt of nearly 40 years, son, Timothy Birt, daughter-in-law, Jamie Marchant, of Auburn, AL, step-son Christopher Thomas, of Port St. Lucie, FL, and nieces Judy Pritchard, of AL, and Sue Scott of PA. He was preceded in death by his Father, J. Franklin Birt, Mother, LaClair Jarrard Birt, former spouse, Kathryn Swanson Berger, and Grandson, Jesse Alan Marchant Birt.

A memorial gathering for Joe will be held at 1 pm on November 6, 2022, at the Jensen Beach Community Church for friends and family.