Obituary of John P. DeBarber

John DeBarber of Boalsburg died on January 29, 2024. He was 98.

He was married to the former Mary Jane Joyce and they had two sons, Peter and Philip. Both Jane and Philip preceded John in death. John is survived by his son, Peter and grandson, John Philip.

After graduating from Altoona Catholic High School, John served as a fire control officer in the Navy during WWII. Following his service, he took advantage of the GI bill to enroll at Penn State University. There, he was awarded a PhD in electrical engineering. John worked for 20 years as an engineer in the defense industry with HRB Singer, and then returned to Penn State to teach EE and computer science. Upon retirement, having cultivated many diverse interests, he was never at a loss for things to occupy his time.

He was a man for all seasons. With Jane at his side, he loved pursuing outdoor activities, including sailing, bicycling, and hiking. John also engaged in a wide array of hobbies. He was a student of Civil War history and liked to explore the old battlefields. Ever the engineer, he loved flying radio-controlled model airplanes. He played the clarinet to the enjoyment of family and next-door neighbors. He frequently dabbled with photography, woodworking, and painting. He liked to bake bread and was an astute bird watcher. Being a grandpa brought him tremendous pride and joy. However, his number one passion in life was Jane and this past year without her was his greatest challenge.

John's family will have an informal gathering with family and friends from 1 until 3 p.m., on February 10 in The Pines, first-floor activities room, Juniper Village at Brookline, 1940 Cliffside Drive, State College.

At the family's request, please do not send flowers.