John Andrew Himmelspach

John Andrew Himmelspach passed away on March 31, 2025 in his 100th trip around the sun. John lived an exciting & gratifying life filled with service to his country and a passion for knowledge, which resulted in career advancement with multiple international assignments plus love for his family, friends and church. Mr. Himmelspach was born June 4, 1925, in Saginaw, Michigan to Mildred (Weaver) and John Andrew Himmelspach Sr. He graduated from Arthur Hill High School in June of 1943 and entered the US Army Air Corps where he served on a flying crew in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator mechanic. John was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946, three months prior to his 21st birthday. He entered Michigan State University in the fall of 1946 and graduated in the fall of 1949 with a degree in business. He married a nurse, the lovely Katheryn Marie Siever February 16th 1952. Together they shared a 65 year adventure. They had four loving children: Patricia Lynn Uren (Nicholas), John Andrew Himmelspach, Karen Jane Himmelspach (late Mark Langlois), and Marilyn Joy Himmelspach; grandchildren John (JJ) Andrew Himmelspach Ill and William Arthur Uren. Marilyn dedicated the last years of both Katheryn and John's lives to tenderly caring for her parents. John joined General Motors Corporation on the line at the Saginaw Steering Gear Division in January of 1950 and retired in 1986 as Corporate Assistant Comptroller. John's career led him to work in Canada, England, Germany, France, Mexico, Australia, Venezuela and Brazil. In retirement, Katheryn & John enjoyed trips to Europe, educational Elderhostels in the U.S., cruises to the Greek Isles, Turkey and Alaska where the river rafting photo thrilled (scared) the kids. Summers included a trip to the U.P. of Michigan. East Tawas/Lake Huron then Cedar Lake was home base for summer (he loved serving as boat driver for kids of all ages learning to ski) with Longboat Key, Florida for winter months providing a center focus on family life for 38 years. John was a 73 year member of the Masonic Lodge #77 (originally lodge #154) in Saginaw, Michigan as well as a member of the Scottish Rite 32*, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Bay City. Many people will recall his active kindness referring those in need to Mayo Clinic (with a little pull from the inside) or just striking up conversations finding new friends everywhere from riding his bike to sitting in airports. John was always thinking of his next project. He built his family's first home, thereafter reusing & repurposing everything frequently many years into the future. His children remember restaurant ice cube flipping fights from Illinois to England though he reserved whipped cream fights to the family dinner table. He often said he became a semi-educated man in his retirement with 140 of The Great Courses in his library over the last 25 years (2 lessons a night before bed). He enjoyed golf and was pleased with his hole-in-one as a member of the River Isles Golf Club Bradenton, Florida. The past 5 years were spent happily welcoming newcomers to Rochester, Mi. Cedarbrook Senior Living between trips up north and down to LBK where he, Marilyn and her friend Jim Osborne were contentedly stuck for 4 months during Covid winter with John Jr. across the street (and a generous neighbor's homemade hot sourdough bread). Friends and family will miss his upbeat endless stories, intelligence, creativity, kindness, irreverence, wit and humility...and, of course, "It's 25° below in Kamloops (or Yellowknife) today."

Honoring John's wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorials will be held at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Saginaw and Christchurch of LBK where he was a founding member at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John A. & Katheryn M. Himmelspach Nursing Scholarship at Alpena Community College Foundation, 665 Johnson St, Alpena Mi, 49707 (ph 989-358-7359).