John Light

Professor John H. Light of Carlisle, died at 2:42 a.m. on November 8 at the Carlisle Regional Medical Center. He was 85 years old. “My family is my greatest pride and joy,” he once wrote. “I am constantly amazed to see the blessings that are mine in this regard.”
A native of Pennsylvania, John Light was born in 1924 in the Pennsylvania Dutch farming community of Annville. He was the third child of the late Dr. V. Earl Light, Sr., and Cora G. Light. He attended the Annville public schools and was graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His college years were interrupted for military service during World War II, when he served with a rifle company of the 104th Infantry Division in Belgium, Holland and Germany. Light attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before sustaining the injury that earned him the Purple Heart. An Infantryman Remembers World War II, Light’s recollection of his war years, was completed on the fiftieth anniversary of his injury in Marburg, Germany, and led to his being awarded the Silver Star during a memorable ceremony in 1996 at the United States Army War College
Professor Light earned graduate degrees in physics and engineering mechanics while employed by the Pennsylvania State University from 1948 to 1959 as a full-time Research Engineer at the Ordnance Research Laboratory and as a Research Associate in the Engineering Department. His lab work involved the design and development of stress measuring equipment, shock and vibration isolation of electronic and mechanical components, and problems associated with underwater ordnance. He was the author of two publications in scientific journals at the time. In 1959 Professor Light was named to the faculty of Dickinson College, where he taught mathematics until his retirement in 1987. He also served as the Registrar of Dickinson College from 1966 to 1969.
From 1969 to 1981 Professor Light served as a School Director for the Carlisle Area School Board and from 1969 to 1975 was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Carlisle YWCA, serving as President from 1973 to 1975. He was also a charter member of Carlisle Brown Baggers and belonged to the Carlisle Rotary Club and the Central Pennsylvania Eclectic Club.
Professor Light was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle since 1960, where he served as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Elder. His lifelong love of music included singing in the church choir, as well. Light was a charter member of the Carlindian Chorus, the Carlisle Chapter of SPEBSQSA, and especially enjoyed singing in a barbershop quartet called The Lamplighters from 1970 to 1973. For many years Light also performed in the annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah at Allison United Methodist Church in Carlisle and was a member of the Grantham Oratorio Society.
Professor Light was married for 60 years to and is survived by his wife, the former Mary Caroline Edelman of Hagerstown, Maryland. Together they enjoyed music, travel and many friendships during a long and happy retirement. Professor Light is survived by his three children: Leslie (Mrs. Joseph Sobel) of Mechanicsburg, Rev. Dr. John S., Lancaster, and Rebecca (Mrs. Royce Wingert), Lititz. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Jennifer (Mrs. Ben Spead) of Lititz, J. Steven, Jr., Tampa, Florida, Mariwyn, El Paso, Texas, and Ben, Andrew, and David Wingert, Lititz; and by his three great grandchildren: John, Mark, and Blythe Spead of Lititz. He is survived by his siblings: Mary G. Bryce of Lebanon, V. Earl, Jr., Annville, Ruth E. Leffler, Columbia, Maryland, Anna L., Chambersburg, and James F., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 12, 2010, at Second Presbyterian Church, 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle, with Rev. Jeffrey Gibelius and Rev. Jennifer McKenna co-officiating and Grandson Steve Light preaching. A viewing will be held at the church from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Veterans’ Day, November 11, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery in Lancaster.
Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home, 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Second Presbyterian Church or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. To sign the guest book, visit www.hoffmanroth.com.