John H. Henninger

John Herbert Henninger of Pasadena, Maryland (formerly of Upper Marlboro) passed away November 6, 2024 at the age of 92. Born June 25, 1932, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania he was the second of four children of Mary Heleva Henninger Boyd and John Richard Henninger. Following his graduation from Coal Township High School in 1950 he moved to Trenton, New Jersey and worked at the National Radiator factory and Sloane Blabon linoleum plant before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in August 1951.

He met his future wife, Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Henninger, of Trenton, at the youth fellowship at Greenwood Avenue Methodist Church in Trenton, where they were married on February 27, 1954. John and Peggy celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together shortly before her death in 2019.

John served as an aviation petty officer in the U.S. Navy from 1951 until being honorably discharged in 1955. Following training in Jacksonville, FL and Memphis, TN, he was assigned to a squadron based in Brunswick, ME. During his service he served two three-month tours in Port Lyautey, French Morocco and a short tour in Malta. He returned to the U.S. in late 1953 and was transferred to shore duty in Lakehurst, NJ, where he completed the remainder of his military service.

John and Peggy moved to Maryland in the Fall of 1955 for him to attend the University of Maryland in College Park. While partially supported by the GI bill, John also worked full time to support his family, first at a gas station and then as a precision sheet metal mechanic. In 1961, he went to work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, first as a contractor and then as a federal employee. Following the completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Maryland in 1972, John was promoted from Technician to Materials Engineer. During his time at NASA, John advanced to a Section Head position where he was in charge of composite engineers, electroplating and plastics shops, and the apprentice program in cooperation with Montgomery College. His work involved developing new materials and components for NASA, including materials that were used on the space shuttle. His crowning accomplishment at NASA was the construction of a new state-of-the-art electroplating facility designed to meet new environmental standards. John retired from NASA GSFC in 2000 after 39 years of employment.

Both John and Peggy were long-standing members of the Methodist Church, most recently St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Bowie, and previously at Ager Road and Forest Memorial United Methodist Churches. At Forest Memorial, John was active in the Kindred Spirits Camping Group for many years. He also enjoyed volunteering in his sons’ cub scout troops and in 1976 helped start Boy Scout Troop 1999, for which he served as Scoutmaster from 1977 until 1984. He also coached youth baseball near his home in Kettering, MD. After retirement, John enjoyed traveling with his wife and their friends.

John was a lifelong learner who kept up with modern technology, enjoyed educational seminars on Elderhostel trips, and in his late 80’s decided to relearn organic chemistry and take up studying Italian. He loved gardening, camping, fishing with his children and grandchildren, watching science fiction and British mystery shows, and enjoying sunsets from his deck. He especially cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was immensely proud of all their accomplishments. He will be remembered for his generosity, forgiving and supportive nature, and colorful storytelling.

He was predeceased by his wife; parents; sisters, Marion Bryson and Joyce Arnold; and brother George Boyd. He is survived by four children, daughter Dawn Henninger and husband John Cleveland, son Drew Henninger and wife Carmen, daughter Kari Steinbock and husband Craig, and son Todd Henninger and wife Amy Maden; three grandchildren, Laura Cleveland, Jill Cleveland and husband Aaron Sachs, and Tyler Henninger and wife Kayla Henninger; and two great-grandchildren, Wesley Cleveland-Sachs, and Harper Henninger. He is also survived by sisters, Creta Hillebrandt (Jim), Lois Derck (Dennis), Helene Shoffler (Ray Hinkle), Scarlett Lastoskie (Bill), and Mary Carol Hess (Bob); brother Jim Boyd (Sandy); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 14900 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors at the church following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Society For Science (https://www.societyforscience.org/), 1719 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 or the Board of Child Care of the United Methodist Church (Everstand, https://www.everstand.org), 3300 Gaither Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244.