"I am so sorry to be so late in telling you all how truly sad and sorry for you to lose your Patriarch and my dear dear friend. I was lucky to have had John as my boss and my friend for many years at AMETA, Rock Island Arsenal. I could always count on him for advice, encouragement and a hug when I needed it. Loved your Mom too and time spent together. I last spoke to John on his birthday in September. I met most of you and recall with a smile many fun stories. I think I even sold Martha and maybe Sue a house. This photo shows how handsome John was. I want you to know how brilliant he was. He was so proud of his family. I called him "Dr. Snazzy" because he was. I loved him and will treasure his memory forever. Barbara (Sanders) Miller"
In loving memory of
Dr. John Francis McAreavy
September 22, 1927 - November 23, 2018
DR. JOHN FRANCIS McAREAVY
MUSCATINE, Iowa - John Francis McAreavy, 91, of Muscatine, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018, at Windmill Manor, Coralville.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at St. Mathias Church. The Reverend Troy Richmond will officiate. Private burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish. Arrangements are being made by Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
John Francis McAreavy was born to John Bernard and Kathryn McAreavy in Coggan, Iowa, on September22, 1927. He attended school in Parnell where his father was superintendent. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids while his father served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. John attended Loras College on an athletic scholarship playing basketball for the Loras Duhawks, Iowa Conference Champions.
In 1946, John joined the U.S. Army stationed in Alaska. He was discharged as a Sargent earning the World War II Victory Medal. After the military, he attended the University of Iowa from which he was awarded a BA and MS in Mathematics and later a PhD in Management Science.
John was hired at Muscatine High School as a mathematics instructor, yearbook advisor and basketball coach. At Muscatine Junior College, he taught mathematics, coached baseball and basketball, clinching the Iowa State Junior College Basketball Championship title in 1955 and 1956.
In 1956, he accepted a position as a mathematician at the U.S. Army Management Engineering Agency at the Rock Island Arsenal. He served as director 1980-1989. While at the Agency, he conducted the Management Development Program in Japan, Panama, Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, Iran, France, Germany, Viet Nam and the United States. During this period, he held the post of adjunct professor at University of Iowa and St. Ambrose University.
In 1962 he was a delegate to the First Symposium on the Management of Advanced Technology at the Seattle World's Fair. He was also a delegate to the First International Computer Conference at MIT. In 1970, he delivered a paper at the International Computer Conference in Amsterdam.
Upon retirement from federal service in 1989, he joined the University of Iowa Center of Computer Aided Design, College of Engineering as a consultant on the development of a proposal that was accepted by the US Department of Transportation resulting in the establishment of the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS).
During his professional career, he was a member of the American Management Association, American Psychology Association, Operation Research Society of America, and American Society for Quality Control. He was a member of St. Mathais Parish, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, and American Legion.
John was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-eight years, Joan, who passed in January 2018. They were married September 8, 1949. Papa John is survived by his twelve children: Susan Marie (Richard) Potthoff, Kathryn Anne (Thomas) McLaughlin, Mary Theresa (Roger) Eggenburg, Martha Louise (Timothy) Freemole, Brian James (Bonnie), John Louis (Amy), Joseph Matthew (Gigi), Thomas Edward (Michelle), Julie Ellen (Todd) Kisner, Amy Elizabeth (Timothy) Aylor, Douglas Patrick (Susan) and Molly Jayne (Bill) Schwarz, 31 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Tributes
"The Kochneff family sends our heartfelt condolences to all of you. We have so many wonderful memories of spending time at the houses on Newell. I personally spent a great deal of my childhood with your family. God bless you all. ?Beautiful? Janice (Kochneff) Moore, Alice Kochneff. Doug, Tammy, and Mike "
"So sorry for your loss. May John Rest In Peace. Don Gerdts Hastings MI"
"We stopped at your parents home after Bert Diercks passed and visited with your folks. Asking about all the kids and what they were all doing now, of course there was plenty to hear. Proud parents is what I saw that day. I remember your family fondly from my childhood and the games Mac would pitch to us. I m sorry for your loss not only your dad but your mother too. Dad Fred England passed in April and we still drive by your house wondering how all those kids fit in it. Blessing to you all and thankful for all the fond memories you all gave us. C England "
"We will truly miss our friend John! He was a great friend."
"I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. Some of my fondest childhood memories are playing baseball in the McAreavy's back yard. Especially the summer evening games of boys against girls. Mr. McAreavy was pitcher, coach, and umpire. He taught us fair play and sportsmanship. Those memories will be with me the rest of my life. It is the memories of your loved ones that keep them alive in your heart. My thoughts and prayers to the family. Mike Doyle "
"Dear McAreavy cousin-in-laws,
Though I have not met most of you I wanted to let you know that you and your families are in our my thoughts and prayers. I heard stories about Uncle Mac from my in-laws, Lou and Norma Nilles, Aunt Carol Nilles, and my husband Tom.
- Charisse Dore' Nilles, Canton MI"
"Please know that the family is in our thoughts and prayers. The Baars Family Shawn, Tyler & Whitney"
"I worked with Dr. McAreavy at AMETA in the 70's. He was a very personable individual and a good friend. We shared many a laugh and a few libations together. His family should be proud of him for his many accomplishments. Rest in Peace for you did well. "
"To the McAreavy family, Please accept my condolences to the entire McAreavy clan. I am so sorry for your loss! I remember your parents as fun loving people. In my younger years with my family, we knew we were going to have lots of fun at the McAreavy house . Love, Janny ( Murphy's sister) McLaughlin Rilett"
"Mr McAreavy was a very significant influence on my life. His council and advice help me become a better adult more accountable person. May he Rest In Peace. G A Sywassink Hilton Head, SC"
"Dr. McAreavy was my Math teacher at Muscatine High School in the 1950's. I liked him so much -- he was an excellent teacher. I was amazed when I came back to Muscatine in the 1960's and went to St. Matthias Church for Mass -- he had not seen me for over 10 years but came up to me and greeted me by name -- I was very impressed! He went on to truly distinguish himself -- his career was wonderful and his family should be very proud of him. I am so happy that I had an opportunity to know him.. I have always remembered him with admiration and fondness. Janet Fletcher Nagel, Bellevue,WA"