John C. Weydert

 
John C. Weydert passed away in his sleep, Friday, April 30, 2021, in Albuquerque, NM, at the 
age of 97. His wife of 62 years, Welford Anne Sale Weydert, had preceded him in death one year earlier. 
John and his twin sister Betty, were born in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 6, 1923. Their father was Vernon C. Weydert, and their mother was Adelaide Mortensen Weydert. John's father was a steelworker. Their parents were very proud that John was able to attend Purdue University, and Betty, an arts 
connoisseur, married an artist and they lived in Switzerland until her death in her 40s. In addition to his parents, his sister, and his wife, John is predeceased by his brothers-in-law Barnes E. Sale, Jr., and Dr. Walter T. Sale, and his sisters-in-law Laura Wood (Sale) McDonell, and Betty Sale. He is also survived by nieces Dina Sale, Betty (Martin) Edwards, Mary Anne (Gary) Rogers, Laura (Randy) Randolph, 
nephews Durward (Alice) McDonell, Barney McDonell, Barnes (Leslie) E. Sale, III, Tom (Ginger) Sale, David (Cynthia) Sale, Dr. Larry (Trish) Sale, 24 great nieces and nephews, and 18 great-great nieces and nephews.

John managed to squeeze two years of college in 18 months before joining the U.S. Army as a World War II combat engineer. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and, according to his records, "supervised construction of pontoon bridges" in front of our advancing troops. John served in the African, European, and Eastern Theatres of War. The campaigns and battles he participated in took place in Normandy, other parts of Northern France, The Rhineland and Central Europe. He received many decorations and citations for his service and bravery. He served with A-Company 551st Engineering Battalion until he was 
honorably discharged on Nov. 8, 1945. 
John returned to Indiana and Purdue University. He finished his B.S. degree in Mechanical 
Engineering in 1948, and continued his studies receiving a Masters of Science degree in Mechanical 
Engineering in 1951. He then focused his attentions on the challenges of the Cold War. During the 
Korean Conflict, he began his 40-year career of Research and Development in Aerodynamic Engineering at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. John met his future wife, Anne Sale, who was working also in the Aerodynamics Division at Sandia, and they were married in April 1957, in her hometown of Atlanta, GA.

While at Sandia Laboratories, John worked on a number of important projects that contributed to our national defense. With a deep understanding of engineering and physics, he successfully designed many one-of-a-kind devices that had to function perfectly the first time. He passed that knowledge on to many of the engineers who worked with him. In the area of aerodynamics, he designed state-of-the-art wind tunnels for advanced research. He also designed rocket payloads for research and defense 
applications, rockets that were ultimately launched from the Hawaiian Islands. He designed complex 
systems used in underground nuclear testing at the Nevada testing site. As a recognized expert in the 
design, development, fabrication and fielding of these massive electromechanical systems, John was 
named a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories. 
John and Anne Weydert both loved camping and the adventure of travel. They traveled to 
Australia, New Zealand, France, Greece, Turkey, and particularly enjoyed their safari in Africa. 
John Weydert was an outstanding example of what became known as "the Greatest 
Generation." 
Friends and loved ones of John Weydert are invited to the interment on May 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Sandia Memory Gardens, 9500 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque NM 87113, Rev. Greg 
Kennedy presiding.