Dr. Norman Hans Jasper

Dr. Norman Hans Jasper, born May 10, 1918, in Detmold, Germany, passed away at the Westminster Oaks Retirement Community, Tallahassee, FL, on Sept 26, 2012. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, on March 30, 2010. Norman immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1932. He grew up in the New York City area and attended City College of New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He received his Master of Science Degree from the University of Maryland in 1952, and his Doctorate in Engineering from the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., in 1956. He began his career with the Department of US Navy in research and development in 1941. He was initially assigned to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington (1941-46). He then spent 15 years at the David Taylor Model Basin in Maryland, (1946-61), where he rose to be Head of the Ship Dynamics Division and was awarded the Navy Distinguished Civilian Award in recognition of his services there. During this time, he was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Commanding Officer and Director to head up a special project of providing a solution to the problems of ship silencing. He was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award for successfully completing this project. He ended his career as Technical Director of the Mine Defense Laboratory in Panama City, FL (1961-1974). He was a “Fellow” of the Society of Mechanical Engineers, listed in “American Men of Science,” “Who’s Who in Engineering,” and “Who Knows and What.” He was a registered professional engineer in the District of Columbia, a member of the American Society of Engineers, Society of Naval Architects and Engineers, and Society of Sigma Xi. He served on technical panels of the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers and the National Academy of Science. He also served on the Navy’s Undersea Warfare Research and Development Council and authored or coauthored numerous official papers and reports. He authored 15 papers which were published in professional and technical journals. In retirement, Norman and Wilma traveled extensively throughout the US and the world, on cruises and camping. Norman is survived by his two children, Norma Kruse and Richard (Janice) Jasper, three grandchildren, Erica (Dave) Garrison and Jason (Kristin) Jasper and Damon (Haley) Jasper. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, Alex, Nicolas, Ethan and Lily Jasper and Lucy Garrison. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, and his son-in-law, Robert Kruse. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 29, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 3254 Coastal Highway, Crawfordville, FL, 850-926-7808. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, 850-878-5310.

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Dr. Norman Hans Jasper

May 10, 1918 - September 26, 2012