Memorial services will be held later this year in Greenville, PA, where Russ will be laid to rest at the Shenango Valley Cemetery beside his loving wife, Marty.
Our beloved father, George “Russ” R. Pflasterer, Jr., 86, of Hollister, CA, formerly of Morgan Hill, died Saturday August 9, 2014, of sudden cardiac arrest.
Born 1928 to George Russell Sr. and Frances Margaret (Bockmon) Pflasterer, he married Martha “Marty” G. Pflasterer on August 4, 1951. Her death preceded Russ in 2006, and by his parents.
Russ graduated from Penn State High School, Greenville, in 1946. In 1951, Russ was simultaneously awarded degrees of Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, both in Electrical Engineering, by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). While at MIT, he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi social fraternity, and also a member of the American Institute of Engineers. He was elected into membership in Eta Kappa Nu, honorary electrical engineering fraternity, and Tau Beta Pi, honorary engineering society. He also was elected to an associate membership in Sigma XI, honorary scientific research society.
In 1966, Russ was awarded a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
In 1950, Russ began his rewarding 50 year engineering career with General Electric (Electrical and Nuclear Divisions), working in Schenectady, NY (1950-1959) and San Jose, CA (1959-1992). In 1992, Russ began working for EPRI (Fossil Plant Operations & Maintenance) in Palo Alto, CA, retiring in 2000. His professional engineering registrations included Control Systems Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, and Professional Engineer.
Russ served as First Lieutenant in the 304th Signal Corps Operations Battalion, US Army (Korean War, 1951-1953).
Russ was an avid daily hiker. He loved to hike with his son, walking numerous trails in the eastern foothills of South Santa Clara Valley, CA, including Henry Coe State Park, as well as forested river trails while visiting his daughter and fiancé in Oregon. In 1981, Russ trekked to the top of Mt. Fuji during a business trip to Japan.
He is survived by his daughter Susan (fiancé, Scott Schevenius) of Roseburg, OR; and son John “Chip”, of Hollister, CA.
Russ was a remarkable husband, loving father and loyal friend. He will be deeply missed.
George “Russ” R. Pflasterer, Jr. May 20, 1928 – August 9, 2014
