John 'Jack' Burger

John (Jack) Jacob Burger, 82, of Greensburg, PA, died on Thursday November 17, 2022 at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA. “Jack” was born September 2, 1940, in McKeesport, PA to the late John and Pauline (Stempel) Burger, and, after her death when John was very young, John was raised by his dad and step-mother Mildred Beistel in Buena Vista, PA. Jack is survived by his longtime friend and companion, Elaine Hess as well as several cousins and step-cousins. Jack graduated from McKeesport High School in 1958.  He played football when he attended Duke University and later graduated in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962. Following graduation, he worked in the aerospace industry at North American Rockwell in California where he worked on the Apollo Command Module, while also earning his Master’s Degree in civil engineering from the University of Southern California. He later worked for about 30 years at Westinghouse (which later became Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc, BPMI) in Pittsburgh from the early 1970’s providing submarine and aircraft carrier support for the Naval Nuclear Program before his retirement in 2001. He was a trusted colleague and mentor to many, and dear friend to all. Jack was a member of the Westmoreland Art Museum and an avid long time Pittsburgh Steeler fan.  His hobbies included Civil War history and Civil War reenactments. He also painted miniature figures, took up fencing after he retired, and enjoyed sudoku and crossword puzzles.  Jack and Elaine also attended many theater productions both at Apple Hill and the Mountain Playhouse.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 22nd from 10 to 11am at KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg. A service in the funeral home will follow at 11am officiated by the Reverend Dawn Lynn Check of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg.  Burial services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westmoreland Museum of Art in Greensburg, the Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Pittsburgh.
For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.