Distinguished Merit Recipient John T. "Jack" Kauffman Passes to Omega Chapter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 2, 2010 | 2:00 PM EST

OXFORD, PENNSYLVANIA – The Fraternity’s 1992 Distinguished Merit Award Recipient John T. “Jack” Kauffman, Purdue ’43, passed to the Omega Chapter Sunday, February 28.  Brother Kauffman was 83. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Julia A. (Crouch) Kauffman of Oxford, PA and North East, MD, and their two daughters. Brother Kauffman is also a 2000 recipient of the Delta Beta Xi Award.

“Jack’s leadership on the Educational Foundation Board of Directors influenced the development of the Foundation, and his role as Grants Committee Chairman put him in the position to award well over $1,000,000 in grants and scholarships to deserving leadership programs and undergraduate men,” said Educational Foundation President Drew Thawley, Ohio Wesleyan ’94.

A native of Weehauken, NJ, Brother Kauffman was initiated at Alpha Pi Chapter, Purdue University, in 1943 before attending the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.  As a cadet, Brother Kauffman served in World War II at Eniwetok and Guam, supporting the fleet in the Philippine Sea Operation as part of the Okinawa invasion in April 1945. After service in the US Naval Reserve, he returned to Purdue University and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  He retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lt. Commander.

Brother Kauffman worked 42 years for Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) and was eventually elected President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.  He received the Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award from Purdue University. Very active among professional and non-profit associations in many capacities, he served as Chairman to organizations such as Pennsylvania Electric Association, Utility Nuclear Waste Management Group, Edison Electric Institute Business Education Effort, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Co-Chair of Kutztown University Presidential Advisory Board. He was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to serve as a Commission Member of the Commonwealth of PA 21st Century Environment Commission.
 
Kauffman served two terms on the Alpha Sigma Phi Educational Foundation Board of Directors from 1999 – 2003 and 2004 – 2009. He attended the Sesquicentennial Celebration in Charleston, South Carolina in 1995, the 1997, 2000, 2002 National Leadership Conferences and the 2004 and 2006 Grand Chapter and National Leadership Conferences.

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