Jack I. Hope
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Jack Irvin Hope, 92, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Hillsboro.
He was born on June 11, 1928 in Rainsboro to Irvin and Gertrude (Winegar) Hope.
His family moved to Richland County when he was young, and he graduated from Bellville High School in 1946. While in high school, Jack worked at the Mansfield Airport, where he learned to fly and obtained his pilot's license.
After graduation, Jack spent the summer hitchhiking across the country, working along the way. In the fall, he got a job at American Airlines in Washington, D.C. He attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and graduated magna cum laude in June 1951 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. In December of 1950, Jack married Anita Mahon, and he began his engineering career with General Electric, working in several cities over the years. His work assignments included the design of a nuclear aircraft engine and the design and marketing of advanced aircraft engines.
After 12 years at GE, he next worked as Director of Aircraft Propulsion for North American Aviation in Los Angeles, Calif. This was followed by two years as vice president of the Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. Also during this time, Jack worked on special assignments for the government, including a period of time from 1970 to 1973 working in the White House Office of Science and Technology. While working in D.C., he was involved in the development of a license for a joint venture with SNECMA in France for a new aircraft engine. In 1973, he then returned to GE to manage this joint venture in both Cincinnati and Paris. CFM-56 was certified in 1978.
Jack resigned from GE in 1980 and started a joint venture with Ralph Anderson of the Belcan Corporation to design a new engine concept called a Giesel. He had an Army contract to work on this project at his farm until 2001. Throughout his career, he also maintained a working farm in Brushcreek Township. No matter where his engineering career took him, he always considered Highland County to be his home.
Jack's interests included the history of Highland County and the activities of his ancestors in its development. He was a member of the Highland County Historical Society and the South Central Ohio Genealogical Society.
He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Stebbins Hope; his daughter Linda (Tim) Doerger; his granddaughter, Emily (Nathan) Head; two sisters-in-law, Janet Hope and Joyce Mahon; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Andrew and Isabel Head; three stepchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Anita Hope; his brothers, Bob (Patricia) and Jim Hope; and his sister, Faith Ann (Chuck) Pickens.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 18, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Hulitt Cemetery in Bainbridge.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. until time of service Friday, June 18, 2021 at Thompson Funeral Home. Donations can be made to the Highland County Historical Society, 151 E. Main Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.
He was born on June 11, 1928 in Rainsboro to Irvin and Gertrude (Winegar) Hope.
His family moved to Richland County when he was young, and he graduated from Bellville High School in 1946. While in high school, Jack worked at the Mansfield Airport, where he learned to fly and obtained his pilot's license.
After graduation, Jack spent the summer hitchhiking across the country, working along the way. In the fall, he got a job at American Airlines in Washington, D.C. He attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and graduated magna cum laude in June 1951 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. In December of 1950, Jack married Anita Mahon, and he began his engineering career with General Electric, working in several cities over the years. His work assignments included the design of a nuclear aircraft engine and the design and marketing of advanced aircraft engines.
After 12 years at GE, he next worked as Director of Aircraft Propulsion for North American Aviation in Los Angeles, Calif. This was followed by two years as vice president of the Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. Also during this time, Jack worked on special assignments for the government, including a period of time from 1970 to 1973 working in the White House Office of Science and Technology. While working in D.C., he was involved in the development of a license for a joint venture with SNECMA in France for a new aircraft engine. In 1973, he then returned to GE to manage this joint venture in both Cincinnati and Paris. CFM-56 was certified in 1978.
Jack resigned from GE in 1980 and started a joint venture with Ralph Anderson of the Belcan Corporation to design a new engine concept called a Giesel. He had an Army contract to work on this project at his farm until 2001. Throughout his career, he also maintained a working farm in Brushcreek Township. No matter where his engineering career took him, he always considered Highland County to be his home.
Jack's interests included the history of Highland County and the activities of his ancestors in its development. He was a member of the Highland County Historical Society and the South Central Ohio Genealogical Society.
He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Stebbins Hope; his daughter Linda (Tim) Doerger; his granddaughter, Emily (Nathan) Head; two sisters-in-law, Janet Hope and Joyce Mahon; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Andrew and Isabel Head; three stepchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Anita Hope; his brothers, Bob (Patricia) and Jim Hope; and his sister, Faith Ann (Chuck) Pickens.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 18, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Hulitt Cemetery in Bainbridge.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. until time of service Friday, June 18, 2021 at Thompson Funeral Home. Donations can be made to the Highland County Historical Society, 151 E. Main Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.