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Edwin John Vilter
John was born August 31, 1929 in Chicago Illinois, the only child
of Edwin and Rosalie Vilter. He was Premature at birth, weighing
only two pounds, and survived
in an era when few preemies did. From the time he was four years old John
joined his father, Zippy the Clown, as Zippy Jr. performing as
a clown magician at
political rallies, parties and picnics all over the Chicago area. For over
twenty years he performed and this was the way in which he worked his way
through college. He attended St. Pascal Elementary School, serving
long hours as an
altar boy at Mass. He graduated from DePaul University with a B.S. in chemistry
and an M.S. in Physical Chemistry. In 1953 during the Korean War he volunteered
to serve in the Air Force and Married Irene Bradtke as he began his service.
He served at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, at Sandia Base in New
Mexico (where son Steven was born), at Westover Strategic Air
Command Base in Massachusetts,
and at McClelland Air Force Base in Sacramento (where son David was born).
After three years as a nuclear officer he left the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant
and returned to Chicago (where son Daniel was born). Work in the aerospace
industry followed, installing and managing Cobalt 60 radiation sources
at Cook Electric
in Chicago and in 1958 at Aerojet General in Azusa California. He was part
of the managerial support staff there until the first moon landing. He
earned his
M.B.A. at the University of Southern California and for several years he
ran his own company doing business and occupational counseling.
His lifelong interest was in education. He was a prized mentor and teacher
to his accomplished sons. Heavily involved in Boy Scout activities when his
sons
were young, he taught adult scout leaders and was given the Silver Beaver
Award. He taught chemistry while in college and taught small business management,
organization
and marketing at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut California for twenty
years.
John had varied and much loved interests in the community. He was a founding
member of the Charter Oak Chamber of Commerce and a long member of the Covina
Chamber of Commerce. For several years he served on the board of the Visiting
Nurses Association. He also served as the chairman of the board of Valley
Light Industries, a sheltered workshop in Covina for many years. A member
of Rotary
International for decades he helped run the Special Olympics held yearly
at Mount San Antonio College. He delivered Meals on Wheels for years until
he himself
could no longer walk without support. Degenerative arthritis forced him to
inactivity, which ultimately caused his death February 14, 2004 due to Pneumonia.
An unforgettable presence in the lives of his family and friends, who gave
freely of himself, his love and his time, he is deeply missed.
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