George Frederick Lankow
December 14, 1924 - January 15, 2016
- Share:
George Frederick Lankow
December 14, 1924 - January 15, 2016
Obituary
George Frederick Lankow was born in 1924 in Rutherford, New Jersey, to Frederick and Katherine Carroll Lankow. After graduating from Rutherford High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific in World War II. He attended Cornell and graduated from Newark College of Engineering. He worked for Minneapolis Honeywell on the manned space capsules and the space shuttle. He holds a patent on a control apparatus used by NASA. He often remarked that he went from a kid who watched Buck Rogers at Saturday matinees to helping to make the Apollo moon landing possible – science fiction to reality in one lifetime. After relocating from Minnesota to Washington, he worked for Boeing on commercial and military aircraft.
George was a lifelong learner. He read voraciously and took online college classes after he retired. A gifted high school athlete, he skied into his late sixties and did daily gym workouts into his late eighties. He loved wilderness hiking, parks, and gardens. He was an active member of the King County Iris Society and a certified American Iris Society judge.
Friends and family were the most important things to George. He was married to his wife Carol for 40 years until her death in 1990. He is survived by their children Andrea (Jeffrey), Paul (Rosalie), Karen (Jeff), and their grandsons Jesse (Breezy) and Joe (Brenna). He is survived by Carla, his wife of 24 years, her children Larry (Christine), Mark (Vicki), Karen (James), and her granddaughters Robyn, Sonya, and Devin.
SERVICES: Friday, Jan.29 1pm – natural burial at Greenacres in Ferndale, WA. Saturday, Jan.30 11am – memorial service at the Newcastle Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the charity of your choice.
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: January 29, 2016 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Greenacres Memorial Park
- Location: 5700 Northwest Drive Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -38-4-3401
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: January 30, 2016 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Newcastle Country Club
- Location: The Golf Club At Newcastle Newcastle, WA 98059 - (Get Directions)
6 responses to George Frederick Lankow
AB says:
January 15, 2016
I am sorry for your loss. It is difficult to deal with the loss of someone you love. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 reminds us that God is always there to comfort us. I pray this helps you and your family.
Wendi Okerlund says:
January 15, 2016
George will be greatly missed! As he walked down the aisle toward the treadmills, he had a warm smile and greeting for each of us along the way. We walked many miles and shared many topics faith, family, politics just about anything that came to mind. He was always kind, thoughtful and encouraging. I will forever miss his sweet presence at EHF as it has never been quite the same without him. I will always give thanks to God that He gave me the joy and opportunity of knowing dear George. How very grateful I am for the precious visit I had with him the Tuesday before his home going. May he rest in peace in the loving arms of Jesus Christ! I will be looking for him on that great and glorious day when I too see Christ. Many blessings to all the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers and George will live forever in my heart!
Love and prayers,
Wendi
Caroline Zebroski says:
January 15, 2016
George was a loving sweet person who loved chat and be friends with everyone. I am honored to have known him.
Mari Short says:
January 15, 2016
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss. I did not know George that well but we had some good conversations at the rock garden meetings. I will miss his contributions. Take care.
Mari Short
Karen Cleghorn says:
January 15, 2016
It was a privilege to know of George’s generous and loving spirit through the Iris Society. Our lives are much the better for having known him. May peace be with you all. Sincerely, Karen Cleghorn