John Andersen

John's favorite quote, by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have made some difference that you lived and lived well."

John was born in Hackensack, New Jersey to Harold Leo Andersen and Johanna Aldia Huybers Andersen.

Raised in Miami, Florida, he started college at Davidson in North Carolina as a physics major and then transferred to mechanical engineering at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Upon graduating, he moved to Albuquerque in 1955 and became part of Sandia National Laboratories. He attended grad school in four departments at the University of New Mexico (mechanical and nuclear engineering, law, and business). He also served as an adjunct engineering professor at UNM. John was a registered professional engineer, a licensed private pilot, and a national accreditation official for college Departments of Mechanical Engineering throughout the United States.

He served on active duty in the nuclear army (US Army Combat Engineer, Atomic Demolitions). He was at Sandia Labs for a total of 52 years, and was in Sandia's first group of Distinguished Members of the Technical Staff. His projects included safeguards projects at the IAEA in Vienna, special projects in Europe and the Pacific for the USAF and then security projects for the top command structure in Europe. He became a department manager, invented a plutonium transportation safe containment system, and spent many years working on advanced military systems. In Washington DC, he served for 2 years on the US Nuclear Command and Control Systems Support Staff (NSS) and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Medal. After his official retirement, he served an additional 10 years as a contractor for Sandia Labs, specializing in nuclear safety and history.

He was a Life Fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and was active for over 50 years. He held continuous local, state, regional, and national positions. These included being a Mechanical Engineering curriculum evaluator for engineering schools, New Mexico State Chairman, National VP of Government Relations, and Governor at the national and international level. He was awarded the ASME Dedicated Service Award, and the 75th and 100th Anniversary medals.

Always busy, he enjoyed home construction and gardening, travel, flying, sailing and model railroading. He especially treasured international travel that was related to his family roots in Denmark and The Netherlands. When his children were young, he supported their youth activities (Boy Scouts, YMCA, church Sunday School). After retirement, he was a docent at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, and a member of the New Mexico Steam Locomotive Restoration and Railroad Historical Society.

From the moment he first set foot in Albuquerque to interview with Sandia Labs he was completely captivated by the "Land of Enchantment,". He loved New Mexico; savored its culture and cuisine, hiked its backcountry and traveled to every one of its enchanting locales.

John is survived by his loving wife, Elaine, his three beloved children Gordon, MaryJo (Tracy), Hal (Marcia), granddaughter Mari (Martin), great grandson Theo, stepsons Fred, Paul, Tom, and their families.

The family would like to thank Legacy Home Health and Hospice, Independent Home Health Care, and French Funerals for their kindness and excellent care.

Service:

Monday, May 19th, 2025

8:00 am Visitation

10:00 am Service

Light lunch after service

First United Methodist Church

315 Coal Ave SW

Albuquerque, NM 87102