Henry E. Stone
February 10, 1922 - December 1, 2018
Resident of San Jose
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of Henry E. Stone, our patriarch, who passed peacefully on December 1, 2018.
Henry was born in Munich, Germany in 1922. He and his family immigrated to the US in March 1939. The family settled in Buffalo, New York, where he worked during the day and attended high school at night. In January 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific with the 339th Engineer Construction Battalion and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant. Returning to Buffalo in January 1946, he attended the University of Buffalo and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in September 1948. That same month, he married Joan Frank and joined the General Electric Company in Lynn, MA. They moved to Schenectady, NY in 1949, where he joined Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), a unit of General Electric Co. responsible for designing nuclear reactors for the U.S. Navy. In 1968, Henry became the General Manager of KAPL, and in 1974 he transferred to the GE Commercial Nuclear Power Division in San Jose, CA. He was elected a GE Vice President in 1978, and in 1984 was appointed Chief Engineer. After retiring from GE in 1987, he continued to work as a consultant to electric utilities and various governmental agencies.
Henry earned a Master's of Science degree in Engineering and Physics from Union College in 1955 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1981. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, the American Nuclear Society and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
He was never satisfied with meeting the minimum requirements or being average, but rather strove for excellence, always setting the highest of standards for himself, while also having high expectations for those around him. Henry was known for his inner strength, keen intellect, tenacity, love of life and family, and intense devotion to his heritage, faith, neighbors and community. He made and nurtured life-long relationships with those he worked with and mentored.
In addition to being highly committed to his career, and having a pivotal role in the development of nuclear energy for over six decades, he was a family man and proudly raised four children. He led a remarkable life of accomplishment, perseverance, sacrifice and compassion. His many accomplishments, values and generosity are enduring, exemplify the very best of the human spirit and will always be part of our lives. He taught us to care deeply, speak kindly and love generously. Henry was not only the very essence of what it means to be a great father and an excellent role model, but to be a good and decent man. Henry was a blessing to all who knew him.
Henry is survived by his children David (Jenny) of Bangkok, Thailand, Linda Weiss (Joe) of Cupertino, CA, Howard (Valerie) of Princeton, NJ and Peter (Marilyn) of San Mateo, CA; by his grandchildren Michelle (Scott), Jeffrey, Audrey, Taylor and Blaise; and by his great granddaughters Hailey and Carly.
Donations in Henry's memory can be made to any charity or to the Stone Family Scholarship Fund at Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga, CA.
A service will be held at Congregation Beth David on December 4th at 10 am and interment will follow at 11:30 am at the Home of Peace Cemetery, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA.