John G. Schatz, Jr.

Stephentown - John G. Schatz Jr., 65, of Stephentown died Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Samaritan Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Greenfield, MA, he was the son of Lillian Halit Schatz of Wynantskill and the late John G. Schatz Sr. He lived in Greenfield and subsequently Interlaken, MA as a child, then moved to and resided in Wynantskill for many years and finally in Stephentown for the past 12 years. He was a graduate of Troy High School and Hudson Valley Community College.

John was employed as a Senior Research Engineer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 42 years, retiring in 2013. Spending the bulk of his career in the High Energy Plasma Physics Laboratory, Johns unique technical talent ranged into vast arenas in which he contributed sometimes limitless energy and aided many, many graduate students in completing their experiments. His passion for helping students in particular with tough experimental problems will be remembered by anyone who worked with him, even if for only few days. He worked on systems at Oak Ridge National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, University of Texas - Austin, University of Wisconsin - Madison, United Technologies, Nagoya University, and other interesting locations. Some of these systems went on have second lives at places like MIT and Max Planck Institute in Greifswald, Germany. After the Plasma Lab he worked for ECSE, Smart Lighting and others and consulted for General Electric, InterScience and Xantho Technologies. The latter company, which carries on the work of the Plasma Lab in Wisconsin and Germany, is owned by a former student – Diane Demers – who was also helped immensely by John during her studies.

John was a Volunteer for First Robotics at RPI for many years, mentoring local high school teams in National Robotic Competition, was a participant as a Survivor in American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in Greenfield MA, and loved trail riding on his horse, Dewdrop. John was an ardent photographer and a lifelong audiophile, amassing more audio and electronic equipment than Carter has liver pills. One of his first paying jobs was at WHRL radio and during his tenure at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, helped with instituting WRPI FM.

Survivors in addition to his mother include a sister, Kathy M. Schatz, Wynantskill; a brother, James J. (Julia) Schatz, Stephentown, a niece and nephew, Elizabeth C. and John G. Schatz, Stephentown and longtime friend and Colleague, Darryl Michael, Delmar.

Our family would like to express our Thanks to all who contributed to this tribute highlighting the true impact of his passing. The recounts of his collaborations will go on for years…

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Saturday May 7, 2016 from 11-1 PM with a memorial service at 1 PM with Rev. Dawn Alpaugh, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John G. Schatz Jr. to the Franklin County Relay for Life, Johnson Clan, #62. Make checks payable to the American Cancer Society. Mail directly to Linda Tyler, 23 Hastings Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 - or - to the American Cancer Society, 59 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 make note on check: Donation is for Franklin County Relay for Life, Johnson Clan, #62. 

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