John Joseph " Jack" Meisinger

John Joseph Meisinger, husband of Julianne Schlachter Meisinger, passed away surrounded by loved ones on November 8, 2021 after experiencing a stroke while conducting research at the Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD.

He was the son of John Julian Meisinger and Catherine Goetsch Meisinger of Naperville, Illinois, now deceased. He is survived by two sisters, Ann Kuhn and Rose Cowan.

Jack graduated from Naperville High School in 1963 before attending Iowa State University where he majored in agriculture. He served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in St. Louis, MO and Wilmington, NC. He went on to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees from Cornell University in Agronomy. He began his career with the United States Department of Agriculture in 1975 kicking off a 45+ year career as a research scientist and mentor for many.

In 1966 he met and married Julie, his wife of 55 years. Together they raised three daughters in Columbia, MD: Amy Ann Meisinger (Robert Barrett), Faith Elizabeth Meisinger-Petit (Fritz Petit) and Hope Catherine Meisinger. He loved his four grandchildren Madeline Rose Meisinger-Blaschak, Spencer Jackson Petit, Corina Elle Meisinger-Blaschak and Lily Ann Meisinger-Blaschak.

Jack enjoyed being outdoors, especially spending time with his dogs over the years. He was an avid softball player and coached a number of his daughters’ teams. In retirement he enjoyed Sudoku puzzles, hikes, feeding the birds and continuing his research in Beltsville.

Visitation will be held at Harry Witzke Funeral Home in Ellicott City, MD from 4-7pm on Friday, November 12, 2021. The memorial service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11am at Columbia Memorial Park in Clarksville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Small Miracles Rescue in Ellicott City, MD. 

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