LTCR John Homer Straub, Sr., USN retired
9/22/1926-1/18/2013
John H. Straub Sr., 86, a longtime resident of Pasco, and most recently of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 18th, in Kirkland, Washington. John was born in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York to Adam and Marion Abbott Straub, the second of five brothers.
John proudly joined the Navy at age 17 to fight in World War II. After the war, John completed high school before re-enlisting in the Navy. John was a pioneer in the Naval nuclear energy program. When, as an enlisted man, he completed his nuclear propulsion and nuclear operation training near Idaho Falls, Idaho in the late 1950’s, John was one of the first 150 people in the world to become certified for nuclear operation. While stationed in Idaho, In 1959, John met the love of his life, Ida Hall, and they were married October 3, 1959, beginning a union that lasted over 50 years till John’s passing. Recognizing John’s unique fit for the job, then Vice Admiral H.G. Rickover promoted John to commissioned officer and assigned him to be the officer in charge of nuclear power plant installation on the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65, aka the “Big E”), reporting directly to the Admiral. John handled that role beautifully, successfully navigating the many inevitable perils of such a complex, first of a kind project. The enterprise was commissioned on 25 November, 1961 and went on to perform key roles in many marquee US events for over 50 years, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam war, both gulf wars and much more. It seems only fitting that the Enterprise is being decommissioned now, at the same time John is leaving this world…
John continued working for the admiral for another 10 years, successfully overseeing the overhaul and nuclear power plant retrofitting/installation of several major vessels. John was proud of his 27 year career in the United States Navy and only chose to leave the Navy because of his one higher priority, his family. Wanting to settle down in one location to raise his young children, John landed in Pasco, WA, where he was able to continue service for his beloved country in a civilian director level role at the Atomic Energy Commission and then as a consultant into the 1990’s. He worked tirelessly to design, establish, implement, assess, and refine nuclear safety and operation procedures, continuously striving to achieve maximum safety and productivity. When announcing John’s retirement from the federal government, John’s boss Alex G. Fremling, summed it up nicely: “John has been an invaluable asset to this office. His willingness—his eagerness—to ask the penetrating questions that others will not, his heartfelt pursuit of quality and safety of operations and his loyalty to his bosses, this Department, and the Federal Government have been something to be prized.”
John was also a proud WSU Cougar parent, sending both of his surviving children to WSU, proudly supporting them throughout their studies and graduation, and always rooting for the Cougs!
John’s brilliance, tenacity and love for this country and HIS navy was known throughout the family and by many people around the nation. John epitomized what was good about self-reliance, self-responsibility, and love of family. John led an exciting and rewarding life with the wife he adored, children he cherished and grandchildren he was able to dote on. He always carried himself with dignity and class. He will be missed by many.
John is survived by his wife Ida, son Eric, daughter Jennifer Korten, 5 grandchildren, brothers Bill, Joe, and Alfred, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son John, Jr. and his older brother Adam.
A family only memorial was held in the Seattle area. Remembrances may be made in John’s honor to Catholic Family Services, 2110 W. Henry St., Pasco, WA 99301 or the Gene and Irene Wockner Hospice through the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation, Hospice Services, 12040 NE 128th St, MS 5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3013.”