Jack Edward Roensch, October 12, 1925 ~ February 18, 2012, resident of Santa Clara, passed away peacefully and joined his beloved wife, Val, on Saturday morning February 18th. Jack was born on October 12, 1925 in Milwaukee, WI, to Edward Leocadia (Vogel) Roensch. Jack was a graduate of Marquette University served as an officer in the Navy where he met Bruno Valentinelli (Val) and became lifelong friends. Bruno introduced Jack to his sister, Inez (also known as Val) and they later married and created a wonderful and loving family: Mary Roensch Guerra (Ernie) of San Martin, CA, Jeanne Stritzinger (Rick) of Hinsdale, MA, James Roensch of Las Vegas, NV and John Roensch (Jeanne) of San Jose, CA. In addition to his children, he is survived by his brothers, Fr. Fred Roensch of Milwaukee, WI Msgr. Roger Roensch of Rome, Italy, 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 4 nieces and nephews and 6 great-nieces and nephews. Jack dearly enjoyed his time in the Navy and spoke of it fondly throughout his life. He also loved his time as an engineer in the foundry at Chain Belt in Milwaukee, WI, and the mill and smelter of Kennecott Copper in Arizona. Jack moved his family to San Jose, CA in 1967 to join Lockheed, in Sunnyvale, CA as a construction engineer from which he retired in 1988, after 21 years. Jack so loved his work at Lockheed, that he started the Lockheed "Lunch Bunch" complete with a monthly newsletter and luncheon with his longtime friends and fellow "retireds". Jack continued to write his Lunch Bunch newsletter for 24 years, penning his last in the days just before he left us. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends both near and far. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday 2/24/12 at St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church, 10110 N. DeAnza Blvd, Cupertino, CA beginning with a visitation/viewing at 9:30 am followed by Mass at 10:30 am and a luncheon reception in the Church Social Hall.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on February 23, 2012.

Note: LT, US Navy, WWII, Korea.