John Robert Rhodehamel, of Beavercreek, OH, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2021.

John was born April 29, 1934 in Indianapolis, Indiana, son of Wesley A. Rhodehamel and Era (McLaughlin) Rhodehamel. He graduated in 1952 from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. He was a 1956 US Army ROTC graduate of Rose (Hulman) Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He also held a 1964 Masters degree in Business Administration from George Washington University, affiliated with the US Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College. In addition, John obtained a 1968 German language certification from the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, CA. A life-long dedicated supporter of the military, he served from 1956-1957 in the US Army Reserves as an Engineer Officer, and from 1957-1972 in the US Air Force Reserves, culminating in an honorable discharge after dedicated service to his country.

John spent his entire career with the US Air Force, primarily with the Air Force Materials Lab at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH. From 1956-1959 he was a propulsion engineer, for the Navaho Ramjet and MACE/SNARK Propulsion Systems Division.  1959-1961, Chief Hardware Development Branch, Solid Rocket Division, Edwards AFB. 1961-1963, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion and Power, F-111 Engineering Office and GAM-87A Project Office.  1964-1965, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion and Flight Vehicle Power Division; 1965-1968, Materials Engineer, Advanced Composites Division, Air Force Materials Laboratory. 1968-1969, Assignment for Scientific and Engineering Personnel to German RDTandE Activities.  In 1969 he returned to the Air Force Materials Laboratory as a Materials Engineer, Aeronautical Systems Support Branch, Materials Support Division. His critical accomplishments were highlighted by his highly sensitive work with laser, missile and stealth technology for stealth aircraft and the B2 Bomber. He was also honored to have been selected to serve as a US Air Force Engineer Exchange Officer to the German Ministry of Defense’s Air Institute for Aircraft Construction, in Braunschweig, Germany, 1968-1969.