John Morton Thole

John M. Thole, age 93, of Redlands, died peacefully on November 6, 2023, at Plymouth Village after several months of illness.

John was born and grew up in Evansville, IN, where he was the middle child of five of Edward J. and Jane Mary (Morton) Thole. John graduated from the University of Evansville and earned a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, both in engineering. While in college, John met the love of his life, Roberta Becker. After graduating from Evansville College in 1955, John and Roberta married and moved to Maryland where they welcomed and raised their daughters, Sarah, Cindy and Lynn. Later they lived in Redlands, CA, and in Reston, VA, before returning to Redlands six years ago.

John had a long career in the design and development of spacecraft and rockets, mostly at NASA and at TRW (at Norton AFB). His work stretched from the very earliest days of satellite communications, to ICBMs, and to innovative work in low earth orbit launch vehicles. His career started at the Naval Ordnance Lab in Maryland before joining NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center in 1960, followed by a period at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. His work then took him to private industry where he continued his satellite work at Fairchild Space and Electronics and where he notably served as Deputy to Wernher von Braun. In 1978 John moved his family to Redlands, California where he was Director of Engineering at TRW and his focus shifted from satellites to missiles and launch vehicles. After retiring from TRW/Northrop Grumman in 1992, John moved with Roberta to Reston, VA, where he worked as a Vice President with Orbital Sciences Corporation and pursued a consulting practice. John held two patents, received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, was a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Evansville.

His much-enjoyed avocations included the stock market, bond arbitrage, poetry, sailing, long walks on the beach, and making frames for Roberta’s paintings.

John was known for his intensity, good humor (usually), dedication to excellence, leadership skills, and wonderful singing voice. He took great pride in his houses, in his dogs, his Porsche sports cars, and in the accomplishments of his wife, children, and grandchildren – not necessarily in that order. Moreover, John liked nothing better than sitting on the deck at sunset with a glass of California wine and talking with Roberta, family, and friends.

John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Roberta L. (Becker) Thole, and by his daughters: Sarah T. Fischell and her husband David, Cynthia A. Loewus and her husband Richard, and R. Lynn Whitmer and her husband Gary. Also surviving are his five grandchildren, Erin Fischell, Jennifer Fischell, Allison Whitmer Fahrney, John Whitmer, and Emily Loewus Marz, three great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Jane Sapp Winn and Ann Fehn.

John’s favorite expression was “nothing is perfect, but some things are close”. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held in January. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to: Human Good Foundation, 900 Salem Dr.,

Redlands, CA 92373. In the memo line, please specify: Team Member Appreciation Fund (TMAF) or Resident Benevolence Fund (RBF).