Friday, March 29, 2024

Obituary of John A. "Jack" Stellmack, 83

Name of Deceased John A. "Jack" Stellmack
Age 83
Date of Death 02/26/2010
Date of Birth 07/08/1926
Funeral Home na

Jack Stellmack, 83, of State College, died Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. He was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 8, 1926, son of Michael Stellmack and Winifred Emma Nelson.

He is survived by a sister, Lois Stellmack Taylor, of State College, and by nephews Elliott, Scott, and Patrick; niece Monica; and four great nephews and two great nieces.

Jack served as a radio officer in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War, after graduating from Lewistown High School. Mr. Stellmack, who received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from St. Francis College in 1949, and a master's in organic chemistry from Penn State in 1955, joined the Penn State faculty in 1949 as research assistant in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Associate chairman of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program Committee for 14 years, Jack chaired the department's Scholarship Committee for 13 years. He served as editor for various student publications and was known for the great deal of time he devoted to advising students.

Jack became interested in cave exploration and speleology in 1952 and joined the National Speleological Society (NSS) the next year. He held various offices (including Chairman) in the Nittany Grotto, the local PSU chapter of the NSS, and in the Mid-Appalachian Region of the NSS. Jack served on the NSS Board of Directors from 1957 to 1970, and was President of the Society from 1967 to 1970. A founding member of the Butler Cave Conservation Society, Jack held Honorary Life Membership in Nittany Grotto and Honorary Life Membership in the NSS.

Jack lived an interesting and full life. His interests were wide and varied, including plants, caves and karst, food, native Americans, canals, local history, and footpaths of the Seven Mountains. He shared these interests with a large number of close friends across the USA and in Britain and Europe. His playful nature, which he never lost, often delighted and amused his family and friends.

Jack's sister Lois will receive friends at the home of Walter and Michele Ebaugh, 107 Redwood Lane, from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 8.