John M. Lederer

LEDERER, John Martin Age 81, passed away February 21, 2012 in Mountain View Hospital, Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Joan; son, Jeffrey and wife Leslie Lederer of Louisville, Kentucky; daughter, Carol and husband Scott Ruch of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sisters, Betty Jane Hammond of Gold Canyon, Arizona, Mildred McGregor of Wichita, Kansas, Joan Cheek of Waggoner, Oklahoma and sister in-law- Helen Lederer or Rio Rancho, New Mexico. John was blessed with three grandchildren; Daniel and Karen Lederer, and Alaina (Ruch) Dewitt. Alaina and husband Gary are the parents of a great-grandchild, Logan Dewitt. John M. Lederer was born May 12, 1930 to George and Angie (Faubion) Lederer in Saline County Kansas. The family moved to Waterville, Kansas in 1934. John attended Harbaugh County school until 5th grade when he transferred to Waterville Public Grade School. John attended Waterville High School and graduated as valedictorian of his class in May 1948. After high school, he attended Kansas State Agricultural and Engineering School, where he graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1953. John married Joan Patrick June 15, 1963. Joan brought with her two children, Jeff and Carol to complete their family. John was retired from a long and distinguished career with the US Government which began as a lieutenant at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio after being called up during the Korean conflict and continued when he arrived at the Air Force Weapons Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1955 as a Scientist, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer (Atomic). John��?�s work involved testing, simulation, nuclear safety and systems engineering of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons systems. He brought outstanding leadership and technical expertise to the Department of Defense and Department of Energy which contributed to the successful record of the nuclear weapons stockpile. He also contributed in the international arena by his outstanding technical support to the Ministries of Defense for Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom during the development of the multi-role PA-200 combat aircraft for NATO. After becoming chief of several divisions he became the Director of Nuclear Systems Engineering, then the Technical Director of the 4900th Test Group until his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed being a civilian Commercial Pilot and a Flight Instructor for Aircraft including instrument ratings. He also enjoyed archery and photography. John is in "The International Who��?�s Who of Intellectuals, "Who��?�s Who in Science and Engineering, "Men of Achievement, and "Who��?�s Who in the World. John is preceded in death by his parents, George Martin and Angie Belle; brother, Harold Max Lederer; sister, Helen Louise; brothers-in-law, Neil McGregor, Bill Cheek, Carroll Hammond, James Moore, Harold Patrick. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Inurnment will take place 12:45 pm, Friday, March 30, 2012 at Santa Fe National Cemetery. John's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
505-892-9920