John R. Longland's Obituary
LONGLAND, John Robert, age 93, passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, and was welcomed into the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
John was born on January 19, 1932, at home in Dedham, Massachusetts. He became the final survivor of his ancestral family, including father and mother, two brothers, and a sister. John is survived by his wife, Evalena (Evie). He has two adult children – Stephen Longland and Susan (Longland) Miller. Both are happily married and followers of Jesus. John’s son, Stephen, has three adult children and they have given John three great-grandchildren. After graduating from high school, John served two years on active duty in the US Naval Reserve. He then went to work in the computer industry in its early infancy. John was a technician on the design team for the very first super-computer, the RAYDAC. After graduating from Ventura College in Ventura, CA, John began his career as an electrical engineer within the aviation industry. He was involved in the design of head-up displays for the A-10 and the Space Shuttle and was instrumental in the design of the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet as well. John’s career led him from MA to CA to MA again – from NH to FL to CA and back to NH again. He was employed by: The Joseph Pollak Company, RAYTHEON, Computer Control Company, Sanders & Associates, General Electric, Kaiser Electronics, and Electronic Image Systems, from which he retired in 1998.
John’s life verse was Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This Scripture changed John’s life in 1965 and brought him peace. John and Evie have attended Patterson Park Church for many years.
John was an avid hiker, fisherman, and wordsmith. He was interested in everything, even prospecting for uranium (without success) in the Mojave Desert. John was the Runner-Up High School Champion of the 1948 Boston Area Spelling Bee. He traveled quite a bit throughout his career and took delight in learning simple Japanese phrases for his trips to Japan. John was a HAM radio operator and really enjoyed collecting his “cards” from people all over the world. His cronies knew him as W1RZW.
The family will receive friends from 1 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, March 8, at Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook. A celebration of life service will immediately follow the gathering of friends and colleagues at 2 PM on Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be made to the family at www.connerandkoch.com.
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