BROOKSIDE, NJ     Mr. John “Jack” Joseph Vogel, 90, died on August 13, 2011 at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown.

He was born to Caroline Martha Lubbehusen Vogel in Baltimore, Md. on Aug. 3, 1921.

From December 1941 to July 1943, he was employed as an electric assembler, radio electric specialist and printing expert at Sperry Gyroscope. He was married to Anne Meredith Beardsworth on Oct. 4, 1943.

He served in the U S Navy from July 1943 to December 1945 as an electrician’s mate during World War II in the Pacific and received a Victory Medal, American Theater and Asiatic Pacific 1 Star. In June 2001, he received a citation from Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) from the 25^th NJ Legislative District for honorable service in World War II.

He graduated in 1950 from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville with a B.S. in Chemistry, and later attended graduate school at the University of Kansas.

His rocket and cannon propellant work moved him from New York to Virginia, Kansas, Illinois, Utah, and New Jersey. He was employed by Hercules Powder Company, Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in Kansas as a chemical engineer from 1952 to 1957. From 1957 to 1961, he worked at Olin Mathieson as a chemical engineer in Illinois with an expertise in hydrazine propellants and was instrumental in creating patents for specialized propellants. He worked at Thiokol Chemical in Brigham City, Utah as a chemical engineer specializing in polymers that were ideal as rocket fuels, and developed liquid propellant rocket motor systems.

In 1962, he joined Picatinny Arsenal as a propulsion chemical engineer and retired after 30 years at age 73. During his tenure, he received numerous awards for armament research and achievement certificates for his unblemished record of attendance.

On May 2, 1979, he was awarded the certificate of achievement for value engineering for saving the government $13 million through a cost-saving program. In 1975, he was noted for his work in the design of improved propelling charges for artillery gun systems. He was commended for an engineering study for propelling charges for 155mm Howitzers.

He was an avid gardener, bibliophile, numismatist, philatelist and timbrophile. He was a member of the American Philatelic Society, Collectors Society and American Mint. He was an active member of St. Joseph R C Church in Mendham, and raised large sums for the church addition.

He was a member of the VFW Post 7333 in Randolph. Some of his numerous charities included United Farmworkers, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Mercy Corps, Catholic Charities, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, American Red Cross, March of Dimes and others.

He was abundantly survived by his wife Anne Meredith (nee Beardsworth) of 67 years and had 13 children, 21 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Donna Quintana in 1998 and is survived by; Carol Floeting of Airmont, NY and Boca Raton, Fla., John of Whippany, Suzy Rita Siegel of Scottsdale, Az., Sandra of Pittstown, Steve of Frenchtown, Mark of Anthem, Az., Maria Vogel-Short of Lake Hopatcong, Paul of Jersey City, Fred of Stillwater, Janice Pepper of Livingston, Thalia Demott of Anthem, AZ, and Sharon Esslinger of Long Pond, Pa.

Friends may visit at the Davis and Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street Succasunna (973-584-7264) davishepplewhitefh.com, on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 5 – 8 pm.  The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, August 19, at 11 am at St. Joseph’s R C Church in Mendham. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 – 11 am. The interment will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Quaker Church Road in Randolph.