Services set March 2 for John J. Kramer, professor emeritus

12:57 p.m., Feb. 21, 2013--Services for John J. (Jack) Kramer, professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at University of Delaware, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, at the St. Thomas More Oratory, 45 Lovett Ave., Newark. Friends may begin calling at 10 a.m.

Prof. Kramer, who was 81, died peacefully Feb. 15 at home. 

He joined the UD faculty in electrical and computer engineering in 1965, after a successful career with Westinghouse Research Laboratories. Prof. Kramer’s research in magnetic materials and crystal growth, begun at Westinghouse and continued at UD, led to more than 50 scientific publications during his tenure. 

An avid researcher and teacher, Prof. Kramer taught a wide variety of courses in electrical and mechanical engineering. Additionally, he was an industry consultant for companies such as DuPont, Martin-Marietta, Astro Power and Hercules. He retired from UD in 1995.

Born July 9, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Prof. Kramer earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees — all in metallurgical engineering — from Carnegie Mellon University. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves while pursuing his graduate degrees.

Prof. Kramer served on the Newark Planning Commission during the 1970s and as the acting chairman from 1977 to 1978. He enjoyed travel, home repair and remodeling, golfing, sailing and spending time with family. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lou Kramer; sons, John (Jack), Michael and Kenneth; and seven grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brother, Edward Kramer and grandson, John Joseph.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org. 

Article by Gregory Holt