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John E. Fuchs, 88, a longtime resident of Prince Frederick, MD until December 2016, passed away in Salisbury, NC, on September 12, 2017. He was born Johannes Erich Fuchs on May 16, 1929, in Aschaffenburg, Germany.
John lived at Linderhof Castle during World War II and was educated at Ettal Monastery. After the war ended, at 16 years old, speaking fluent English, he became the official castle tour guide for the American Military and the USO because of General Patton’s recommendation. He was also recruited to work for the US Army. In October 1953, John, his wife, and two young daughters immigrated to the United States. While serving in the US Army, he earned several awards. He loved his adoptive country, and was a great patriot who received The Americanism Award by the D.A.R. in 1960.
Having an aptitude for science, he was employed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, for thirty years. He diligently worked on many projects which were instrumental in advancing the US space program and earned several Exceptional Service Awards. At NASA’s request, he was contracted to work on projects until his mid-80s.
John was a devoted husband to Ilse, his wife of almost 60 years, a wonderful father, and a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by daughter and son-in-law Rosemarie and James McConnaughey; daughter Elisabeth Leber and Mark Cummings; granddaughter Genna Gonzales and great-grandson Andreas Mark. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him!
A memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salisbury, NC on November 21, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at the National Veteran’s Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name, John Erich Fuchs, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/tributes or call 1-800-822-6344.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is assisting the Fuchs family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Tere says
Condolences to the family on the passing of your Father. He was such a wonderful man. I enjoyed his stories and just hearing him speak — he was so mannerly and such a gentleman. He loved his family dearly and spoke of them often. I did his tax returns for a number of years at the Senior Center in Maryland. It was a pleasure to see him each year — I will miss him. May he rest in peace. God bless.
john g maruschak says
At NASA Goddard, we would frequently meet at the coffee pot and chat. He was always a gentlemen and had a wonderful sense of humor. May he rest in peace.