John C. “Jack” Kaufmann, 65, of Lancaster, passed away Friday, May 1, 2009, at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Steubenville, OH, he was the son of the late John C., Jr., and Margaret Millicent Pearce Kaufmann. He was the husband of Frances Yanovjak Kaufmann.
Jack received his B.S. in Chemistry, and M.S. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the Ohio State University. He later received his M.A. in Administration from Penn State University.
From October of 1969 until retiring in January of 1999, Jack worked for Armstrong World Industries. Throughout his years, he held numerous positions within the company including Chemist, Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, Research Manager, and Principal Scientist. He held U. S. Patents for Stylistik Tile, and for Carpet Dye Streaking Analysis.
After retiring from Armstrong, Jack held several other positions including substitute teacher for the School Districts of Lancaster, and Manheim Township; Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Montgomery County Community College; Process Analysis Consultant for Clair Brothers Audio, Lititz, and most recently, Visiting Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry at Elizabethtown College.
Jack was very active in the Lancaster community including the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Lancaster County where he was Past President; Kiwanis Club of Lancaster where he served on the Board of Directors, Musical Show Chairman, and Show Technical Director; Actor’s Company of Pennsylvania as Pin Rail Chief at the Fulton Opera House; and SCORE Lancaster.
He enjoyed genealogy, spending time with his family, traveling, reading, and his border collies. He was an avid Ohio State fan.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters: Kristen wife of John Hicks of Gap; Carol wife of David Rittenhouse and children, Alicia and Kayla Melendez and Riley and Teagan Rittenhouse, of Lancaster; Catherine wife of Brandon Kendig and children, Jordyn, Wesley, Paige, and Alexis Kendig, of Conestoga; and Karen Kaufmann of Lancaster.
Funeral services will be held from the Highland Presbyterian Church, 1801 Oregon Pike, Lancaster on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 11 AM with interment following in Landis Valley Mennonite Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home 141 E. Orange St. Lancaster on Friday from 6 to 8 PM and at the church on Saturday from 10 to 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Steubenville High School Scholarship Foundation, 420 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, OH 43952 or a charity of one’s choice.