George William King was born March 9, 1920 in Lafayette, Indiana. His parents met while teaching at Purdue University where George and his siblings grew up and went to school. Lafayette was a railroad hub, and George recognized every train by its whistle. He spent summers on family farms and at Boy Scout camp, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Purdue in electrical engineering, George got a job on the Sperry rail test car, plying the railroads at last. When the United States entered the war, George joined the Navy and became an instructor of sonar and radar at MIT. It was here that he met his future wife, Elizabeth Evans, who worked in the math department.
George and Betty were married in 1948 and settled in Pleasantville, New York where he joined engineers from MIT who had organized a research and development firm, General Precision Laboratory. The GPL campus was on an old tree-covered estate and George enjoyed exploring the acres of woodlands. He biked to work everyday and came home for lunch. At GPL he worked on training simulators for NASA, resulting in frequent trips to Cape Canaveral and Houston. His interest in optics and the human eye led to collaboration with the Columbia University Eye Institute and ultimately to the development of the Pupillograph. George was a devoted and fun-loving father to seven children, the first born in 1950. He served on the Pleasantville School Board for many years. George was introduced to skiing during his Navy years; he and his buddies headed north to Stowe and Tuckerman's frequently. Eager to share his enthusiasm with his children, he set up a rope tow on the sloping front yard, providing the power himself. He was an early subscriber to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Their critiques of the nuclear arms race, nuclear power, and runaway technology deeply influenced him and he passed this concern on to his children. He also imbued them with a love of the outdoors and a passionate pursuit of energy and resource conservation. In 1972, George and his family moved to Massachusetts where he took a position at Compugraphic Corp. as Senior Staff Engineer. In Concord, he and Betty joined the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. They became enthusiastic members of the community, with George providing valued insight on anything technical, including the sound system, organ, and heating system. George served on the CACODE committee for the Concord Schools, and on the town Finance Committee for six years. Through his work on the pupillograph, George became an expert on optics, vision, and the human eye. It was ironic when macular degeneration claimed his acute vision and led to his early retirement. He rarely complained about his blindness and deeply appreciated the many visitors who came to read to him.
His enthusiasm for the natural world included mountain climbing, astronomy, and bird watching. Annually, George led his children up Mount Washington until they were old enough to start leading him. As his eyesight began to fade making it harder to spot birds and stars, he developed a deeper appreciation of trees. He could identify and expound upon all manner of native trees; his favorites included cryptomeria, tamarack and gingko. When three of his daughters moved to the Pacific Northwest, he delighted in the Big Leaf Maple, Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. His love of the outdoors extended to boating. The first time he went rowing with his young wife, he revealed his mid-western roots by leaving the boat below the high tide line, only to find it swept away! Most of his boating took place with his brother-in-law and fellow engineer, Ed Burnside. Sailing between Sandy Hook and Deer Isle led to many adventures and endless laughter.
The first of George's sixteen grandchildren was born to a Greek father, and George became forever more Papou. His first great grandchild was born last November. His cheerful presence and selfless interest in small matters that loom large for children made him a beloved grandparent. From building make-believe steam engines to singing the colorful songs of his youth, he played with and loved his grandchildren gently and unconditionally. He will be missed by all.
George is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his children, Betsy of Athens, Greece, Sally and Cyndy, of Seattle,WA, C.C., of Concord, Bill of Ithaca, NY, Bob of Keene, NH, and their spouses; his grandchildren, Spyro, Danae, Geordi, Margot, Sarah, Kosta, Natalie, Dorothy, Lyell, Lisa, Gene, James, Clement, Elizabeth, Carolina, and Benjamin; his great grandchild, Danae; his brother Robert and his sister Betty. His daughter Margaret Rose King died in 2001.
A memorial service will be held Sunday February 14 at 3 pm at the First Parish in Concord.
Concord’s town flag will be at half-staff on Sunday, February 14th in recognition of Mr. King’s service to his country during World War II.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation may send one to The First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742.