Obituary of John E Wander

John E. Wander, a resident of Chester Township, NJ for over 45 years, passed away at home at the age of 77 on May 19, 2022 due to medical complications. 

John was born abroad in Algiers, Algeria, in 1945 while his father served in the U.S. Army.  He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1966 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.  Although he received an offer to work at NASA, he chose to remain near family in NJ and worked for over 25 years as a mechanical engineer at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County. 

John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, role model and mentor.  He is survived by his wife Kathleen; brother Wade; sister Susan; sons John P. and William E.; daughter Ann M.; and grandson Zachery M.  He was predeceased by his daughter Heather K.

John enjoyed many activities over the years including lifting weights, playing chess, tennis and golf, walking the dogs, gardening and volunteering at the VA Hospital in Lyons, NJ.  Most significantly, what he enjoyed about these activities (and others) was simply the time spent with his children and grandchild.

John was a man for all seasons—a renaissance man—and capable of so many things from tutoring his children in advanced calculus, chemistry and physics to building his first home, constructing retaining walls that will withstand the test of time and repairing the family’s automobiles.  To his children, he could do anything—a hero to us all.

John was a principled, humble and kind gentleman who strongly believed in the fundamental virtues of determination, hard work, honesty and loyalty, among others.  He continued to epitomize and espouse these virtues during his final years even as his health deteriorated and simple acts of daily living became challenging.

John has left those he touched with endless endearing memories.  He will be missed immeasurably and remembered always.

Visitation  will be held from Noon-1pm followed by a 1pm funeral service on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ.  Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.