John Alan Baltz

John Alan Baltz (b. Feb 12, 1930 - d. Jun 25, 2019) was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Born in Detroit, MI, as the oldest of four children, John was always known for his love of science from the earliest of days. Practicing chemistry in the basement of his home was but one passion. This passion would become his profession. John also enjoyed playing sports and loved to play tennis. Upon graduating from high school, John attended the University of Detroit where he obtained a BSc in Chemistry.

In the summer of 1948 John met the love of his life, Helen Grace McIlvride, while John was working a summer job at Detroit's Henry Ford hospital where Grace was working as a nurse trainee. They married in 1952. Soon after marrying, John joined the US Marine Corps where he was a chemical specialist during the Korean War, stationed in Miami. John and Grace returned to Detroit where they started a family. Their loving relationship produced three sons, John, Robert, and David.

John's work took him, along with his family, to positions with different companies in various locations, including Detroit, Chicago, and New York. John's passion for chemistry and metallurgy saw him shifting his area of specialization to working in the defense industry in the 60's and 70's with work and life in Tennessee, South Carolina, and finally, Denver, Colorado. John, Grace, and their sons would call Denver home since 1968.

While living in Denver, John continued his professional growth, working as a process engineer in the mining and metals extraction industry. He had many interesting assignments both as an employee and finally as an independent consultant, working in the US and Canada. John was known for his vast knowledge of chemical processing and was often sought to solve difficult chemical processing plant start-up challenges.

In addition to his profession, John had a passion for history. He had a deep interest in Civil War history, and the history of WWI and WWII. He passed this passion along to his children and grandchildren. John also loved music, especially classical music. His record collection was always a source of inspiration and pride. John and Grace also became accomplished at square dancing. It was one of many things they enjoyed together, and their love of dancing never left them.

John loved to travel. Throughout their marriage, John and Grace traveled extensively with their children throughout the US. John just loved to drive. Every year was another adventure to some new place, often with a chance to experience both history and the outdoors. Later in life, John and Grace traveled extensively outside the US as well to locations in in Europe and SE Asia.

John was an outstanding role model for his children and grandchildren. He instilled in them a desire for learning, the value of hard work, and the importance of living a good life where personal values mattered. Because of his love for them, each child and grandchild loved and respected John for his commitment to them. He is the reason they are each successful, full of the same love and passion for life that John exuded.

However, none of this could match the love he had for Grace. From the earliest days, John and Grace formed a partnership based on love, mutual respect, and undying commitment to one another. It would see them through more than 70 years together. It was a life full of many highs, and very few lows. Through it all, their love of one another created joy for themselves, their children, their children's families. And it is for this loving relationship, the one between John and Grace, that he will forever be most remembered.

John is home now, in God's hands. He leaves behind an indelible imprint on his family that will be passed on. There is no better way to honor the life and spirit of the man we called my husband, Dad, and Grandpa.

We love you!

Grace and family

Visitation: July 2, 2019 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Service: July 3, 2019 9:00 am

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Committal Service: July 3, 2019 11:15 am

Ft. Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80235