Jack Lund

Born on March 5th,1938 in Abingdon Illinois to Gladys Landon and Fred Lund, he was a loving husband, caring father, and close friend. He will be remembered as a pioneer of laser bioeffects research.

In his early life he attended Abingdon High school and spent his time at a wide variety of jobs from farm hand to pin setter to pulling soda at a soda fountain.

Jack attended Western Illinois University where he earned a bachelor’s in science in 1962. His love of physics and science would define much of his professional life.

After graduating he was drafted into the Army and moved to Pennsylvania where he began working as a researcher at the Frankford Arsenal, a position he continued after his discharge from active duty. He eventually reached 45 years of service to the U.S. Government, working for Army institutes of research in Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. He continued working as a researcher emeritus after his official retirement in 2006.

While working at the Frankfurt Arsenal he met Joan (née Kralick) who he married in 1963. Jack and Joan had two boys, Brian and Scott, who they raised in their Feasterville Pennsylvania home. Much of their free time was spent outdoors, taking the boys walking in Playwicki park. He was an accomplished woodworker and craftsman, he and Joan enjoyed making ceramics together.

In 1975 when the Frankfurt arsenal closed, he loaded up his family and made the 3000-mile drive across the country to Novato California.

At the Letterman Army Institute of Research at the Presidio in San Francisco, Jack continued his pioneering research in laser bioeffects along with the team of scientists who moved out west from Pennsylvania. He never let his job detract from taking care of his family, taking trips with Joan to China and Hawaii. In Novato he spent many weekends at his boys’ baseball games, so much so that he became the commissioner of the Novato Little League in 1977 and 1978.

In 1992 Jack and Joan made one last move, to San Antonio, where he continued his research work at Brooks Air Force base. He also continued his love of running, participating in as many events as he could until his knees no longer let him. He never lost his love of the outdoors.

In the 2000’s Joan’s health declined with what was later diagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. Jack spent his days caring for her until she passed in 2014.

The remainder of his days were spent with his lifelong friend Veronica Ujimori. The two officially married in 2019. Together they packed a full life of adventure into his remaining days. Continuing his love of the outdoors, they walked in the park nearly every morning. They made annual trips to the beach in Florida, visited old friends in California and Arizona, and drove to visit his remaining family in Illinois. They traveled with close friends, taking cruises and flying internationally to visit colleagues in Austria.

Although he officially retired in 2006 he continued working into his final years, being invited to present at conferences all around the world.

In 2008 he was presented with the Distinguished Emeritus Award for exemplary contributions to 29 Lasers on the Modern Battlefield Conferences, noting that his career advanced the understanding of laser ocular effects, helped establish optical radiation exposure guidelines, and helped with the development of eye protection for the soldier. His contributions significantly impacted the safe use of lasers in the military as well as other worldwide applications.

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Optical Radiation Branch honored him as a Laser Bioeffects Pioneer in March 2008.

He was awarded the Commander’s Award for Public Service by the Department of the Army in 2014 for research efforts in support of the combat casualty care mission vital to the forward progress and recent advances in laser bioeffects.

Jack is survived by his wife Veronica Ujimori along with his sons Brian of San Antonio and Scott (with wife Thayer) of New Orleans.

A celebration of life for Jack will be held Monday, January 23, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Lund family.