|
Martin G. Jaenke, Ph.D., 89 Renowned ScientistMartin G. Jaenke, Ph.D., 89, of Alamogordo, died Friday, April 20, 2001, in Alamogordo. He was born October 22, 1911 in Tannenberg, Germany, the son of Pastor Alfred and Kaete (Buchwald) Jaenke. He received his basic education in one of the traditional German Boarding Schools (St. Afra, Meissen, Saxony) and studied at the Technical University in Danzig (Gdansk) and Dresden, where he received his M.S. in 1936 and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1939. In 1940 he married Eve, the daughter of Dr. Carl and Else (Martin) Timann. During World War II, Dr. Jaenke worked in private industry. In 1952 he accepted an invitation to work for the U.S. Air Force under the "Paper Clip" project. The family have made their home in Alamogordo, becoming U.S. citizens in 1958. Dr. Jaenke held various leading positions at Holloman Air Force Base. His areas of professional interest were computer research and inertial navigation and guidance of missiles and aircraft. He retired from civil service at Holloman AFB in 1974, receiving the Award for Exceptional service to the U.S. Air Force. During his retirement, he continued to work as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force. He was co-founder of the New Mexico Research Institute which investigated methods of desalinizing water under the Tularosa Basin. He was a Fellow member of the former American Rocket Society, now the prestigious American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics, one of the smallest and most exclusive of engineering societies. He pursued his favorite hobby, archaeology, by joining digs in Mexico, Guatemala, Africa, Wales, and many other places. He worked with the Alamogordo High School promoting vocational and scientific education through his active participation in founding and organizing the Alamogordo Science Fair. He served as president of the Alamogordo Rotary Club, and was a recipient of the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award. Dr. Jaenke was a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Acknowledging his many scientific achievements, he was inducted into the Space Hall of Fame in 1993. Survivors include his wife, Eve of Alamogordo; a daughter, Marlene Mayfield of Las Cruces; two sons, Rainer Jaenke of La Luz Canyon, and Harald Jaenke of El Paso; and a grandson, Billy Marr of Denver. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Tim, in 1987. Memorial services will be conducted Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1212 Washington, Alamogordo, with the Rev. Michael Struck officiating. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to their favorite charity. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home, Alamogordo.
|
