John J. Hoda, age 91 of Schwenksville, Pa., a retired General Electric Company
Aerospace Engineer, slipped peacefully into God's loving arms on January 19, 20922 .
John worked for General Electric for 44 years. He started his career in
Schenectady, NY at the GE Research Laboratory. His service was interrupted when he
joined the U S Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank
of Electrician's Mate Third Class Petty Officer. He returned to General Electric resuming
his career at the Malta Test Station performing activities in the research and development
of the rocket engines we now know as the launch vehicles for our ballistic missiles and
space program. His career continued with a transfer to the GE Space Division in
Philadelphia and King of Prussia where he had several assignments in System Test,
Project Management, and Quality Assurance. He was especially proud of the key
responsibilities he had in the development of the first Nimbus Weather Satellite, several
Communication Satellite Programs and the MATSCO DAS3 Logistics Program. An early
project of his GE team was Corona, the world's first photo reconnaissance satellite, a
pioneering work of space technology declassified only in 1995.His work on Corona was
recognized by the Engineering Societies in Delaware Valley by inducting him to The
Delaware Valley Hall of Fame in 2007.
During his career he was very active in furthering his education and enhancing his
technical expertise. While working at GE he attended night school at Union College,
Schenectady, NY in pursuit of a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of
the G E Elfun Society, The American Society for Quality Control, The Armed Forces
Communication and Electronic Association, and he was on the Quality Assurance
Committee; Aerospace Industries Association.
He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post#602, Spring City, Pa.
Known by many as "The Silver Fox" he enjoyed life and friendships. He had a
passion for golf (even though he couldn't master it). He entered and won many contests
and sweepstakes and "a day without entering a contest was like a day without sunshine."
His Email jokes and stories were legendary.
He was predeceased by his wife, Pauline Hoda (nee Madsen), his sister, Agnes
Donohue (nee Hoda) and sister, Helen Schatmeier, (nee Hoda) of Hollister, CA. He is
survived by 3 children, Kathy Ann Rhodes (Bill), Schwenksville, PA, Timothy Paul
Hoda, Maple Shade, N.J, John Andrew Hoda (Gloria), Milford, CT and, five
grandchildren, two great grandchildren and more than a friend, the love of his life,
Marylou Boryta.
Funeral service will be private for his immediate family .Interment will be private
at General Washington Memorial Park, Stenton Ave & Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting,
Pa. 19462. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's
Franciscan Shelter, 209 Emmet St., Phoenixville, PA 19460 tel #610 933-7733. A
celebration of his life will be announced in the spring.