John Julian Uebbing
July 7, 1937-Nov. 20, 2024
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Mary Ebringer

John Uebbing, longtime resident of Palo Alto, father of two, grandfather of two and friend of many, died of cancer at Palo Alto Commons on November 20, 2024. He was 87 years old.

John was born in Chicago on July 7, 1937, the first of six children of Dorothy and Albert Uebbing. John attended parochial schools in Chicago, graduating from Mount Carmel High School in 1955. His mother was an administrative assistant for Johnson & Johnson, and his father was a chemist, which helped stimulate John’s scientific and technological interests. He became an amateur radio operator and enjoyed building transmitters, receivers and antennas.

He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, followed by a M.S. from M.I.T. After working for a year, he came to Palo Alto where he obtained a Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering. from Stanford. At the Stanford Catholic Alumni Club he met Roberta Flynn, whom he married in 1966.

His daughter, Mary Frances, was born on March 4, 1969 and his son Jack on October 29, 1970.

He went to work for Varian and completed successful research in III-V photocathodes and Auger Spectroscopy.

For many years, John worked for the HP Optoelectronics Division and was awarded over twenty patents during his work there, including one for the bright red LED car tail lights you see today.

When he wasn’t hiking, camping or sailing on the San Francisco Bay, John could be found at the public library, reading all matter of nonfiction and increasing his already encyclopedic knowledge. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with Roberta to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

When his twin granddaughters arrived, John spent time teaching them to garden, bake apple pies and mix mojitos. He joined the Palo Alto Council of the Knights of Columbus and was active in their affairs, including acting as Grand Knight.

John will be remembered for his keen intellect, his off-beat sense of humor and his devotion to his family and his Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife Roberta, sisters Mary Ann, Christine, Jane, brother Tom, daughter Mary Frances, son-in-law Lawrence, and granddaughters Flora and Madeline. He is predeceased by his son Jack.

A funeral Mass will be said for John at Our Lady of the Rosary Church Friday, December 6 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.