John Reynolds Austen, 98, of Easton died Friday, June 27, 2014 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA.
Born: September 12, 1915 in Los Angeles, CA he was a son of the late Oswald and Alma (McClaren) Austen. His wife, Helen (Taylor) Austen died in 2012.
Personal: He was a graduate of California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) and employed by the Ingersoll Rand Co. While working at the Cameron Pump Division of IR in 1954 he was in charge of manufacturing the Pumps for the first Nuclear Submarine, the USS Nautilus. He also had been employed at Joy Mfg. in Buffalo, NY and Worthington Pump in Hillside, NJ before returning to IR to complete his career.
Memberships: He was a Past-President of the Easton Rotary Club; a former Boy Scout and Cub Pack Leader; member of the Easton Area Industrial Land Development board; the Pomfret Club; Northampton Country Club and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilson. There is also an auditorium named in his honor at the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society Sigal Museum.
Survivors: 2 sons: John T. and his wife Sue of New Smyrna Beach, FL; Stephen R. and his wife Maureen of Bluffton, SC; a brother: Peter T. Austen of Port Orange, FL; 5 grandchildren: Stephanie, Drew, David, Jenny, Lindsey and 5 great-grandchildren.
Services: A Memorial Service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (July 1) in Kortz Hall, Moravian Hall Square, 174 W. North Street, Nazareth, PA; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be private.
Memorial Contributions: May be made to the Easton Rotary Service Foundation, c/o Mike Dowd, 25 Chestnut Ridge Circle, Easton, PA 18042.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Ed and Anna Caulfield
June 29, 2014 at 7:47 am
Our condolences to the Austen family. A wonderful long life, well-lived.
Warren Mann
June 30, 2014 at 3:39 pm
It’s sad to hear you lost your father. No matter the accomplishments, no matter the age, becoming parentless creates an void that cannot be filled. My dad, with whom I also shared the same name and who also was in military contracts, passed away more than 25 years ago and is still missed. Fortunately John R. Austen got to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren, no doubt adding a richness to his life beyond measure. Such a legacy lasts forever.
Darryl Bierly
June 30, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Mr Austen, it was a pleasure knowing you when you were a Nazareth Rotarian in your “later years”, A fine man and condolences to your family. John, you will always be with us in spirit, and will be fondly remembered for your “We Are” shout at Rotary meetings, and our response “Penn State”.!! Like me, you really enjoyed Penn State football over the years. Now regret not visiting you more in your later years, because you were a special man !! Now you are in a better place and I hope you will give out a shout there before each meal. God Bless and Keep You !!
Darryl Bierly