|
| |
Dr. Jack Jules Bourquin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on October 14th, 2017 at the age of 83.
Jack was born in Anthony, Kansas on June 19th, 1934 to Jules S. and Ruth L. (Boehringer) Bourquin and was raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was the only child of parents who themselves were only children. As such, he was showered beyond measure with love, guidance, deep spiritual training and rich family involvement. His parents were both musicians and instilled a love and appreciation for music that has remained with him his whole life. Jack learned to play tuba and drums, but he excelled on the flute. When he was 16, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Jack met the love of his life, Joy (Estes), at College High School where they later graduated. They both attended University of Texas, El Paso and were married on May 25th, 1956.
While in El Paso, Jack completed his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, earned his Master's Degree in E.E. from New Mexico State University. There also his three children were born. Jack then attended University of Illinois, Champagne on a National Science Foundation Scholarship where he earned his Ph.D. E.E.
Besides being a full-time student and father, Jack put himself through school. He worked many jobs including co-op research at White Sands Missile Range, supervising labs, and assisting professors in research.
During Jack's post-secondary education, he was hired by every institution he attended to teach courses. It wasn't long before he realized that teaching was his true passion and in 1968 he and his family moved to Rolla, Missouri where he spent his life-long vocation teaching Electrical Engineering at the University of Missouri - Rolla (Missouri University of Science and Technology). During his tenure as an E.E. professor he did important research both locally and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He had several nick-names in the course of his career, one of which was "Happy Jack", a nod to his unwavering optimistic and cheerful demeanor. He had high expectations for his students to understand the material. To that end, Jack was a devoted professor and was willing to take whatever time his students needed in explaining the often difficult material. UMR awarded the status of Professor Emeritus to Jack when he retired from full-time teaching in 2001.
Jack and Joy shared a 64 year love affair, having recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. His love for his wife, was seconded by his love and devotion for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. His wife and children have innumerable memories of camping, floating, and hiking in the Ozark Mountains, Rockies, and Smokies. At home he wore every hat imaginable. He could tutor any subject from English to Discrete Math, was a handyman, grill-king and was always at the ready for any project in which his family was involved. He led his family with steady assurance and impeccable integrity. After their kids flew the coop, he and his wife enjoyed redesigning and remodeling their home, often doing the finish work together. While they adored working on their home, some of their favorite times were spent quietly sitting on their porch swing or deck rockers taking in sunsets.
As his children grew older and had families of their own, his involvement was ever-present. Jack spent countless hours cheering on grandchildren from side-lines, bleachers, and auditorium seats.
Jack and his family joined the First United Methodist Church in 1968. Jack served on many committees, taught Sunday School and relished his experiences of singing in the Chancel Choir. Jack was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Rolla Kiwanis Club, and the Miner Retirees Association.
Jack loved God and God's creation. He was quick to generously donate time and treasure to help others. Those that had the pleasure of knowing Jack are better for it. He demonstrated at every turn his devotion to his wife, family, friends, God, and country. Jack is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his devoted wife, Joy; three children Sonya Busch of Rolla, Missouri, Daniel Bourquin of Dearborn, Michigan, and Dana Walling and husband Rob of Clarksdale, Missouri; seven grandchildren David Busch and wife Sara of Chilhowee, Missouri, Katherine Busch of St. Peters, Missouri, Jacques Bourquin of Rolla, Kelcie Bourquin who is currently serving in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, Robby Walling who is currently supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria as a C-130 pilot and wife Cami, of Maysville, Missouri, and Michael Walling and Emily Walling of Clarksdale, Missouri. He is also the great-grandfather of four boys, Luke and Hudson Busch, and Robert and Ryker Walling.
A memorial service celebrating Jack's life will be held at 2 pm Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Rolla. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 pm. The family will hold a private interment service following the memorial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be given to the First United Methodist Church-music ministry, 803 N. Main, Rolla.
Online condolences may be offered at www.nullandsonfuneralhome.com
All arrangements are under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla.
Funeral Home
Null & Son Funeral Home
1010 Kingshighway
Rolla, MO 65401
(573) 364-1200
Published in Examiner-Enterprise from Oct. 18 to Nov. 17, 2017
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.