Obituary of Jack Witte

Celebrating the Life of Jack Witte February 14, 1938 - April 14, 2009 “You have been told what is good and what Yahweh requires of you: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 Jack was born to Charles P. and Marie T. Witte and, with his sister Joanne, was raised in Dayton, Ohio. He was involved in learning, relationships, sports, and the Catholic Church his entire life. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He worked hard and enjoyed whatever he put his hand to. Jack went to private Catholic schools (St. Albert’s Elementary and Chaminade High School), public school in 4th, 5th, and 6th, and pursued interests in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and photography. Upon graduation from high school in 1956, he received a fellowship with Frigidaire and earned an Engineering Degree at General Motors Institute of Technology in Flint, MI, in 1961. He furthered his education at Michigan State University, earning a Masters of Science in Mathematics in 1963. His last week at MSU was pivotal for his future. He passed his oral boards, securing his job with Boeing in Seattle, and married Joan Glaser, his beautiful bride of 45 years! Immediately following their wedding reception, they headed west, with everything they had in their 1962 Volkswagen Beetle. Jack has been blessed and has been a blessing to many in sharing the wonderful gifts God gave him. He made an impact on the world at large during America’s first decade in space, putting his engineering/mathematic expertise to work on the Lunar Orbiter. The Lunar Orbiter photographed the entire surface of the moon to obtain vital information for the successful manned moon mission to come! He also worked on the Mars Orbiter, the B-1 Bomber, and the radar/satellite system on the AWACS airplane. He has written hundreds of computer programs, not only for Boeing (33 years), but also for the church, for friends, for family, and for golf. He was a deep thinker, tender hearted, wise, and faithful. Although knowledgeable, he was humble and did not intimidate those around him. Jack was a patient teacher and helped his kids, friends, grandkids, and students (Highline Community College) understand Math, as well as many computer applications. Always willing to help, he put his organizational and programming skills to good use on church scheduling programs, programs for golf courses, and the Catholic Community Services Annual Golf Tournament Benefit. Due to his significant work on organizing the tournament over the years, this year the tournament is being renamed “The 17th Annual Jack Witte Spirit of Caring Golf Tournament” in his honor. Jack enjoyed life to the fullest. He studied many different subjects from Church History to photography, the Holy Scriptures to how to install a sprinkler system. He was a Toastmaster and even returned to college, earning his 2nd Masters, Business Administration, at Seattle University in 1988. In preparation for world travels with Joan, he studied the history of Greece, Egypt, The Holy Lands, and the Southwestern US, to name a few. He enjoyed playing softball for many years with Boeing and Renton Park leagues. He also played recreational volleyball, basketball, and racquetball until his knees gave out. Jack was always involved with his family, sharing his love for the outdoors through camping, hiking, white-water canoeing, bicycling, scouts, and more recently golf. He had an appreciation for the beauty of God’s creations, and had a gift for capturing them on film, as seen in the incredible photos he has taken over the years. Family and some friends have had the honor of receiving a special annual calendar, which he and Joan created over the last 8 years, compiling pictures from their adventures of the year before. Jack will always be remembered for his fun sense of humor and infectious laugh. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and faithful friend. If you became a friend of Jack’s, you were a friend for life. Jack is survived by his wife Joan, son Michael (Kristina), daughter Julie Brewster (Bill), son Paul (Kathy), grandchildren Justin, Christopher, Jessica, and Jonathan, and his sister Joanne Keys (Boyd). Remembrances may be made in memory of John Witte: Clinical Research for Bladder Cancer Virginia Mason Foundation (Fund #R0506) Mail Stop D-1-MF 1100 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 Info: Beth Edelheit 206-341-0446 Remembrances may also be made in the form of sponsoring a foursome, hole signage, donations to, or volunteering at the newly named “17th Annual Jack Witte Spirit of Caring Golf Tournament,” August 17th at Washington National Golf Course. Proceeds go to benefit Catholic Community Services Katherine House and Rita’s House for recovering women inmates. Catholic Community Services Attn: 17th Annual Jack Witte Spirit of Caring Golf Tournament 100 23rd Avenue South Seattle, WA 98144 To Volunteer or with questions, call: Amy Beckner 206-328-5703