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John Randall Kenemuth, 76, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, NM, died at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 19, 2010 after a three-month struggle with anaplastic thyroid cancer. He is survived by his spouse, Barbara Kenemuth of Albuquerque, NM; children, James Kenemuth and wife, Chris Chin of Palo Alto, CA, Sarah Kenemuth of Cambridge, MA, Paul Kenemuth and wife, Christina Mouton-Kenemuth of Culver City, CA, and Ruth Kenemuth of Fremont, CA; grandchildren, Gabrielle Mouton-Kenemuth, David Kenemuth, and Meghan Kenemuth of Culver City, CA; sisters, Jane Zaidi of Amherst, MA, and Jean Gray and husband, Edward of Edina, MN; and brother, Dale Kenemuth and wife, Marge of Potomac, MD. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit N. and Theda E. Perry Kenemuth of Fern in Clarion County, PA. John Kenemuth was born on November 30, 1933 in Oil City, PA. He attended the Ashland Township High School in Kossuth, PA, where he was a straight "A" student and valedictorian of his 1951 graduating class. He attended Pennsylvania State University where he received a B.S. degree in Physics with Honors in 1957. He received an M.S. degree in Physics from Cornell University in 1962 and worked as a Research Associate at Cornell University's Laboratory of Nuclear Studies until 1963 when he returned to Pennsylvania State University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Physics in 1967 and moved to Albuquerque, NM that same year to begin a 33-year career with Kirtland's Air Force Research Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, and the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. During his tenure, Dr. Kenemuth contributed to key advances in the field of laser research and adaptive optics, progressively serving as Research Physicist, Project Officer, Technical Advisor, and finally as Technical Director of the Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) Telescope Program at the Maui Space Surveillance System on Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. Dr. Kenemuth enjoyed his work and the company of colleagues, and he continued to consult for the AEOS and Maui Space Surveillance program after his service retirement in June 2000. John was active in Albuquerque community organizations including the New Mexico Orchid Guild, the New Mexico Ballet Company and the Albuquerque Youth Soccer Organization. He served on the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony and the Albuquerque Figure Skating Association. He married his Penn State sweetheart, the former Barbara Elizabeth Scharf on June 28, 1958, and they were married 52 years. John was a devoted father, and he loved nothing more than spending time with his family. He had warm hands, a kind, generous spirit and a twinkle in his eye. He loved to read comics, play games, and do jigsaw puzzles with his family. He had an appreciation for poetry and would recite his favorite verses with a tear in his eye. He had a voracious appetite for learning and was a lover and collector of books. He was generous to a wide range of charitable causes. Having worked his family's farmland during the Great Depression, he felt a strong connection to the land and to nature. He loved gardening and managed to turn his barren plot of Albuquerque clay into fertile "Victory Garden" soil. He was a friend to wild birds everywhere. Visitations will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at French - Wyoming Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque and on Monday, September 27, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at the William N. Rupert Mortuary in Knox, PA. A private commitment ceremony and interment will follow at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church Cemetery, Fern, PA. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to a humanitarian charity of their choice. Please visit our online guestbook for John at: www.RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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