John Francis Plunkert
Plunkert, John Francis—Retired civilian Naval aircraft electronics engineer. On
3-22-06, John Francis Plunkert, 85, beloved husband of Barbara Melville Plunkert
for 61 years, died in Arlington, Va. He was born in Washington, DC at Old
Columbia Hospital on January 24, 1921. He is survived by four daughters and
their families: Patricia Bontempo of Diamondhead, MS, Lois Plunkert of
Hollywood, MD, Joan Schleicher of Spring, TX, and Barbara Jones of Little Rock,
AR; grandchildren, Lise Mize of Pacific Junction, IA, Darren Bontempo of Harvy,
LA, Barry John Schleicher of California, MD, Steven Schleicher of Sugar Land,
TX, Judson Jones, Jr., Braden Jones, and Melissa Jones of Little Rock, AR.;
great-grandchildren Reagan Mize and Kaleb Sanders.
John was a graduate of three Washington schools: Immaculate Conception Boys
Academy, Gonzaga High School and Catholic University School of Electrical
Engineering. He was one of a handful of engineers who established the Naval Air
Test Center-Patuxent River, Maryland in 1943. He remained there until 1956 and
became Head of the Aircrafts Electronic Systems Department. He was transferred
to the Naval Aircraft Electronic Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics in
Washington, DC in 1956 and was supervisory electronic engineer of the Systems
Integration Branch where he supervised electronics systems design for all Naval
aircraft. During his fifteen years at BUAER (later called Naval Air Systems
Command) he served on numerous NATO committees as engineering representative for
the U.S. government. He also served as aviation electronic advisor to the
Japanese Navy in construction of anti-submarine warfare aircraft. He retired
from the Naval Air Systems Command in 1973 with 32 year of continuous service.
After retiring, he became president of the family owned petroleum business in
central Washington, which was closed in 1975 to make space for a federal housing
project. John continued to preside over the investment division of Plunkert
Incorporated as president until his death.
John was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, VA, for 39 years.
While at his summer residence on the Patuxent River at Hollywood MD, he was a
member of St. John’s Catholic Church for 33 years. His hobbies were boating,
fishing, crabbing and swimming. Favorite beverage: very old Bourbon.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, March 27, 2006 at St.
John Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43927 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.
Reverend Ray Schmidt was the celebrant. Interment followed in the church
cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Johns Building Fund, P.O.
Box 69, Hollywood, MD 20636
