John E. (Jack) Bower, Jr. was born in Waukegan, Lake County, IL in March, 1935. Moving to Allegheny County, PA, in 1957, he spent 29 years as a structural-engineering researcher with the U.S. Steel Technical Center in Monroeville, PA. In 1986, he joined Lehigh University’s
Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center as Deputy Director, retiring from that position after 17+ years in May 2004. He and his wife Merle then moved to Matthews, NC, in August 2004.

A structural engineer, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois. At Notre Dame, he was also associate senior football manager.

Author of over 30 technical papers and holder or co-holder of four U.S. patents, he was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois and Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Merle; four children, Julia, Laura Onuscheck (Dave), Barbara Stefl (Tim), and James (Tonya); and by two grandsons and two great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, where he was a parishioner. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to either St. Gabriel’s or the University of Notre Dame.

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Bower family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com