John Mattern

John Mattern, aged 95, died on October 27, 2015 in Columbia, MD.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean Adele Mattern. He is also survived by three daughters and their spouses: Carole Marie and Mark McNamee of Sudbury, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Jean and Keith Henry of Salisbury, Maryland, and Sarah Jane and George Linhardt of Jackson, Wyoming, six grandchildren: Elizabeth Mathiesen, Mark McNamee, Katherine Reinholtz, Michael Henry, Adelle Greenberg and Angela Linhardt, and three great-grandchildren: Adrian Mathiesen, Cormac Mathiesen and Avery Reinholtz.

The son of Johannes and Carola Mattern, John was a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University earning a degree in electrical engineering.  He was a long time supporter of Johns Hopkins where his father had been a professor and librarian. Following his graduation, he worked for General Electrical in Lynn, Massachusetts where he met his future bride, Jean Adele McKenzie.  While employed by General Electric, John and Jean moved to Schenectady, NY and then to Syracuse. In the early 1950’s, he returned to his native town of Baltimore where he began a long career with Westinghouse.  He worked in the Systems Development Division submitting 77 invention disclosures and receiving 12 patents. His areas of research were radio science, solid-state circuits, and analog to digital converters. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. His articles have been published in the Government Microcircuit Applications Conference, the International Solid State Circuits Conference, IEEE Transactions, and Electronics Magazine. Additionally, he and consulting engineer John W. Taylor, Jr., co-authored chapter five of Skolnik’s Radar Handbook.

Listening to classical music was one of John’s favorite pastimes. His best-loved conductors were Arthur Fiedler with the Boston Pops and Andre Rieu. John not only enjoyed listening to music but he was fascinated with the science of sound. Into his late 80’s and early 90’s he continued scientific research efforts in acoustics and speaker design.

John was an avid sailor and power boater. His love for the Chesapeake Bay began in his childhood at his parent’s cabin on Little Round Bay on the Severn River.  Off the shores of this small bay, he and his brother, Ted, paddled up and down the neighboring creeks and tributaries in the family canoe.  Jean shared his love of the water and they spent many weekends and vacations together boating on the Severn, Magothy and Middle Rivers. They enjoyed rafting with friends in cozy creeks on the many shores of the bay.

As a retiree, John enjoyed his years as a volunteer driver for the Catonsville Senior Center. He also shared his passion for engineering with young students as a mentor for the Catonsville Lego Robotics Team.

A celebration of  his life and graveside service will take place with the immediate family in Swampscott, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catonsville Senior Center, The Johns Hopkins University or a charity of your choice.