John Normington Eustis

John Normington Eustis, 89, died on Monday, August 19, 2013, in Easton, MD. He was the son of the late, Truman William Eustis, Jr., and Marion Wood Eustis. In his own words, John was an engineer and pilot who loved his wife, the former Jane Shaw, very much. They met in 1953 and, after 52 years of marriage, John lost Jane to Alzheimer’s in 2005. He said it was a very great loss. Although John was born in Canada, he was proud to be a United States citizen. He was raised in Michigan and, following his high school graduation, he voluntarily joined the U.S. Army in 1942. After four years of combat across Europe, he entered Cornell University. He graduated as an engineer in 1949 and began a long career in which he worked to improve gas turbines for aircraft and electricity generation. Early in his career, John worked for several jet engine manufacturers, and he conducted flight tests of early experimental jet engines and ran a test base for aviation equipment. In 1970, he and Jane moved to Europe where John continued turbine development. In Europe, they lived in several different countries and places and enjoyed the cultural opportunities and different living activities. They returned to United States in 1976 and John continued development work for the U.S. Government until he retired in 1983. John and Jane then returned to Jane’s hometown of Easton, MD. John learned to fly in 1944 in Europe, and he enjoyed it very much. Not only did he work in the aviation industry throughout his career, he and Jane enjoyed flying for pleasure. John had a wide range of friends in the aviation community and was honored to receive the WRIGHT BROTHERS MASTER AVIATOR Award in June 1999. In Easton, John became involved in the development and operations of the local airport. After losing Jane, he returned to singing by joining a local barbershop group. Many years prior to that, John and his brother Richard, had enjoyed singing. John is survived by his brothers, Richard Eustis of Lynchburg, VA, and T.W. (William) Eustis of Greenwich, CT, as well as a number of nephews and nieces. In recognition of their contributions to the war effort in the Second World War, John and Jane will be buried together in Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to a charity of your choice.

John Normington Eustis

June 2, 1924 - August 19, 2013