John Blaser

John Blaser (a.k.a. Hans), age 86, of Westford, MA passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, 04 April 2019 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. For 59 years, he was the beloved husband of Julianne A. (Koch) Blaser. They made their home and raised a family in Sudbury, MA for 50 years while he worked for Raytheon. As a radar receiver design/development engineer, John contributed expertise in design and test, troubleshooting and production problem solving for radar receiver/exciter units. He also performed studies aboard ships (USS Nimitz, USS Dale, USS New Jersey), displayed significant experience in proposal writing, task management, and on-campus recruiting of engineering students. He retired from Raytheon in 1999 and continued his engineering expertise part-time for INTERTEK, retiring in 2019.

John was born in Bern, Switzerland on 27 March 1933, the son of the late Alfred Robert Blaser and Gertrude (Angele) Blaser. John grew up in Roselle Park, NJ and went on to serve honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant (USAFE). John was stationed in Kaufbeuren, Germany as a Technical Instructor of Electronics and German Language. After serving his country almost 5 years, he received the G.I.BiLL and attended Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961. He was a resident advisor for MTU and a member of Theta Tau Fraternity. John married his wife, Julianne on 26 December 1959 in Menominee, Michigan during his sophomore year at MTU. While at MTU, John was an avid skier and taught skiing to youth on the weekends in Escanaba, MI.

In 1964, John and Julianne purchased a modest 3 bedroom ranch in Sudbury, MA. It would become "The House That John Built" as he would triple its size as the family's needs grew over two decades to include at one time or another: three children, Julianne's parents, brother, and sister. He had apprenticed plumbing under his father as a young man in Roselle Park and became skilled in all the trades. Being a car enthusiast John was also skilled in maintaining and repairing his own and many of the automobiles that belonged to family. John was a member of the Northeast Region PCA (Porsche Club of America) and The Swiss Society of Boston. Among his many interests, John was an avid model airplane builder and enthusiast. He belonged to the Charles River Club in Sudbury and presently was a member of the Southern New Hampshire Radio Control Club (SNHRCC) located at Wagner Field, Hudson, NH. He was a senior member of the AMA.

In addition to enjoying music and playing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute, John loved to read and held a great respect for curiosity, intelligence, education and knowledge. He loved life, loved to laugh and was passionate about helping others. John volunteered his time instructing Windmill Pitching almost every Sunday evening for the past 30 years at the MetroWest Pitchers and Catchers Clinic.

Besides his loving wife, Julianne, he is survived by his three children, Peter Koch Blaser and wife, Ilona Reinitzer of Litchfield, NH; Rudi Jon Blaser and wife, Joanna Kukielka – Blaser of Columbus, OH; Juliana Blaser Arnolds and husband, Andy Arnolds of Westford, MA. John's five grandchildren are Savannah Reinitzer, Sierra Reinitzer, Annabelle Arnolds, Henry Arnolds and Amelia Arnolds. John is also survived by his brother, Albert Blaser and wife, Melanie of Lakewood, OH. He was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Gertrude Blaser of Roselle Park, NJ and two brothers, baby Robert Edward Blaser and Edward Robert Blaser of FL.

Arrangements - Funeral Services for John will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 107 Concord Road, Wayland, MA 01778 marked for the Church Organ Fund.