Carl’s Obituary Carl E. Kastner, Jr., 87, passed away on January 15, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Born November 10, 1931, Carl grew up in Maplewood, NJ. A constant tinkerer and entrepreneur from a young age (he formed his first company as a teenager trimming local trees and importing Christmas trees to the United States), Carl developed a fascination for engineering and aeronautics.
After earning a B.S. degree in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1953, he worked as an area test engineer with North American Aviation, Los Angeles, for a few years, and then enlisted in the United States Army, 1956-1958, achieving the rank of SP5, also referred to as “Buck Sargent”. He was very proud to serve the country that he loved so much. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to New Jersey to raise a family and pursue his interest in rocket engineering and aeronautics.
He joined Reaction Motors, Inc., a company that has been noted for playing a significant role in the development of American aerospace technology, just prior to its acquisition by Thiokol Chemical Corporation. As program manager for the Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol, Carl was deeply involved in the development of rocket engines for the military. He was one of 3 patent holders for the Steam Generator for Rocket Engines in 1961 and was involved in the development of engines for the X-15 super-sonic rocket powered airplane.
In 1973, Carl Joined Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation in Livingston NJ now located in Clinton, NJ where he spent years overseeing the development of global energy plants. He worked there until his retirement from corporate life in the late ‘90s. Never one to slow down, Carl revived the Reaction Motors business in the late ‘70s and continued for the next 40 years providing complex custom components to the US Airforce, as well as providing professional recommendations on Centerbody Diffusers and Steam Blockers for space vehicles and hypersonic aircraft.
He also presented papers at various Symposia for improving the design of the Steam Generator system used for altitude testing of the J-2X rocket engine, to be used as the primary propulsion device for the upper stages of the Aries launch vehicles. Carl also was an avid collector of military vehicles. His vehicles could often be seen at parades or on his way to military vehicle shows.
In his spare time, he researched the family history, maintaining the family tree. He was an associate member of the Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a member of the American Defense Preparedness Association, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Carl is survived by his wife Shirley, of Easton, PA; his daughter Susanna; and his sons, Jeffry, of Stanhope, NJ, and Carl Kastner, III (Kathy), of Wylie, TX; his 7 grandchildren Beth (James) Smythwood of Covington, LA, Shannon Edwards of Josephine TX, Alyssa Kastner, Corinne Kastner, Clara Kastner, Caroline Kastner, and Matthew (Patricia A) Kastner of Winnsboro TX; six great-grandchildren; and his sister, Anita Kastner Hotchkiss (Christopher Martin), of Morristown, NJ.
He is predeceased by his first wife, Carolyn Kastner (nee Jones) and a son, David. Carl will be buried with military honors at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA on Tuesday January 22, 2019. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA (Palmer Twp). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association, of which Carl was a Life Member, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
