John W Brodhacker

John Warren Brodhacker 4/16/22-3/21/21 John W. Brodhacker passed away 3/21/21 after battling a series of health issues over the last two months. Prior to his death, John had enjoyed a full and adventure filled life of 98+ years. John was born on April 16, 1922 in Springfield, Missouri to Bernie and Esther Brodhacker. After graduating from the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy with a BS in Chemical Engineering, John received a commission in the U.S. Navy, where he served as Engineer Officer, Destroyer Escort and Destroyer, and as Executive Officer Destroyer Escort, serving in WWII and the Korean War. John retired at the distinguished rank of Lieutenant Commander by the end of his career in the Navy. John began his civilian career at Commercial Solvents Corporation in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he met and married his beloved wife, Mary Jane Fulton in July of 1950. John’s career took them to Toledo, OH and then on to Cleveland, OH and finally to Yardley, PA. He joined Exide Corporation in 1956 in Cleveland, and became Vice President, Engineering and Director of Technology. In 1979, John was named Director of Process Engineering and later became Director of Technology and Administration. He retired and moved with Mary to Bloomington, IN in 1982. Over the course of his career, John had been granted five U.S. Patents and was the author of several SAE Technical Publications. He was the past Chairperson for the SAE Storage Battery Committee and Technical Committee of the Battery Council International. During his retirement years John wrote and published his memoirs of his early life and career in the Navy. John was a licensed pilot and enjoyed extensive travel and a love of cruises. John’s “cruising” in retirement allowed him, along with adventures on the sea while in the Navy, to complete his circumnavigation of the ocean during his lifetime. His final piloting adventure occurred in his late 80’s, in which during a cruise to South America he managed to convince a private airplane pilot to let him fly his plane over Cape Horn. John eventually relocated to Evansville to be close to family. Mary preceded him in death in 2008. His parents and sister Louise Casey, and son in law Jerry also precede him in death. He is survived by his three children; Rita (Jerry) Rynder of Evansville, IN, Linda (Larry) Bly of North Ridgeville, OH, and John Brodhacker, of Canajoharie, NY. Additionally he is survived by five grandchildren; Jenn (Rob) Mason of Olney, IL, Cynthia (Dale) Stevens of Evansville, IN, Michele (Sam) Morthland of Burke, VA, Ted (Katrinka) Rynder of Evansville, IN, and Michael (Michelle) Bly of North Ridgeville, OH. John is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. John will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. There will be no public visitation. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.