Mr. George R. Green, 83, of Burlington, IA, passed peacefully on Sunday, September 9, 2018, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. The eldest son of the late George R. Green, Jr. and Hannah (Maben) Green, he was born on February 16, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA. Following the death of his father, George and his younger brother were sent to Girard College in Philadelphia.
George served as class president and president of National Honor Society. He graduated from Girard in 1952. George enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and served as a member of U.S. peacekeeping forces in Europe following the Korean Conflict.
He served as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers as a Water Purification Specialist Third Class for the 7th Army’s 317th Engineer Battalion, stationed outside of Munich, Germany. He received a Letter of Commendation for excellence in the field during “Summer Stock” military exercises in 1956, after briefing the 7th Army Surgeon and his staff. He earned promotions to Private 1st Class, Specialist 3rd Class, and the Good Conduct Medal.
George was Honorably Discharged in 1956. Upon returning stateside, he married his partner and the love of his life for the past 61 years, Frances J. (Marella) Green on April 6, 1957 in Philadelphia. George began working as a draftsman for Autocar in Exton, PA.
He then began a 35-year career as a Senior Design Specialist with General Electric Company in Philadelphia and Valley Forge, PA. While working for GE Aerospace, he designed equipment for the primates launched into space prior to NASA’s manned missions. He later designed equipment used in NASA’s Apollo missions to the Moon and in the Minuteman underground missile defense system which protected the U.S. during the Cold War.
In 1971, George accepted an opportunity with GE Electrical Control and Distribution in Burlington, IA. His major accomplishments at GE Switchgear included work on units that powered the World Trade Center and playing a pivotal role in the design and launch of their PowerVac product. He retired from GE Burlington in 1992.
George is survived by his wife Frances of Burlington, two sons, Robert (Roxanne) of Galesburg, IL, and Steven (Sarah) of Blue Springs, MO, his brother Walter (Marie) of Rehoboth Beach, DE, and brother-in-law Richard Marella (Alice) of West Chester, PA, four grandchildren – Evan (Gracey), Alex (Amber), Kelsey, Rachel, and a great granddaughter, Stella. George loved rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Burlington Bees, Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. He was preceded in his passing by his parents, his in-laws, and a grandson, Nolan Reece Green.
The family will receive guests at Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home (www. prughthielencares.com) in Burlington, IA from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 13, 2018, preceding a memorial service concluded with full military honors, rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the memorial service.
A private burial will be held at Aspen Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke United Church of Christ, Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
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