Jack Edward Houston

Jack E. Houston passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

He was born on March 11, 1933, in Arkansas City, KS to Raymond Ernest Houston and Ruth Ina Endicott. He graduated from Cushing, OK High School, and received his Ph.D. in physics from Oklahoma State University in 1965. After a short stint of teaching at South Dakota School of Mines, he came to Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque and remained there until his retirement in 2009.Jack was a scientist whose inventive mind enabled him to have a 45-year career at Sandia and enjoy collaborations with colleagues all over the world. He was a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Vacuum Society, and The American Association for the Advancement of Science. His most notable achievement was the invention of the interfacial force microscope which won a place on the 1994 R & D 100 list of most exceptional new innovations in science and technology for that year. Jack was far more than just a scientist! He was a skilled woodworker, crafting gifts for the family each Christmas. He was a pilot who loved the sense of freedom that flying gave him. He was a musician—first as a trombonist in high school and college bands and later as an eager student of classical guitar. He loved sports and played tennis all his life, reveling in his ability to beat younger opponents. He was an artist and cartoonist chronicling family occasions, always portraying himself as a peanut, his childhood nickname. And he was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather.

Jack is survived by his wife and best friend, Shirley of Albuquerque, daughter Liz Thomson of Albuquerque, son Douglas Houston and husband Frank Russo of New York, NY, grandsons; John Thomson of Albuquerque and Will Thomson of Brooklyn, NY, nieces and nephews; Susan Holstedt of Kansas City, MO, Paul Schmidt of Dallas, TX, Julie Anton of Silverthorne, CO, Bryan Schmidt of Minneapolis, MN, and Mark Temple of Colorado Springs, CO.

All know how incredibly blessed we are to have shared our lives with Jack.Due to the safety concerns of COVID-19, we are unable to come together to celebrate Jack’s life at this time. We invite you to share your remembrances on the French website.

Memorial contributions may be sent to New Mexico BioPark Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or Doctors Without Borders.