Jere DeLee Dando
November 19, 1935 ~ April 6, 2021
Jere DeLee Dando, 85, of Oakton, VA, passed away on April 6th, 2021, at Fair Oaks INOVA Hospital following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Jere was born on November 19th, 1935, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Victor and Ruth Dando, brother of Wally (dec.) and Steven Dando.
Jere married Nancy Gustafson of Lawrence, KS, on June 11, 1959. They were married for nearly 62 years. Jere graduated from Shawnee-Mission High School in the class of 1954. He was a brilliant physicist and engineer, winning their local science fair with a continuous cloud-chamber, and going on to the nationals in Chicago – an achievement he remained fiercely proud of decades later.
Jere transferred from the University of Kansas to George Washington University, receiving a Bachelor's of Engineering/Applied Science in 1964. He became one of the country's foremost experts on HEMPs (high-altitude electromagnetic pulses), working to harden dozens of military systems and assets across the world against them. For nearly 30 years, he was the chief HEMP designer at Harry Diamond Laboratories in Woodbridge, VA. He accumulated awards and achievements far beyond mention in that time, but his highest accolade was the Army’s R&D Achievement award for his work as Technical Director for the HEMP upgrades to the Pershing Missile system. In 1994, he formed JD Engineering, a small consulting business where he provided his expertise to clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton and the Army Research Laboratory. He was a vigilant worker, refusing to retire until his work was finished, and never turning away an opportunity where he could be of assistance. He passed with several outstanding arrangements.
Jere was described by many as the most funny, brilliant man they ever knew. He valued family and integrity above all else. He loved gardening, sailing, and traveling. In his lifetime, he and Nancy saw many amazing places together – the Virgin Islands, Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower, Budapest, the Rock of Gibraltar… He saw everything he wanted to. He was also heavily involved in the Northern Virginia Sail & Power Squadron, serving as the commander from 1996-97, and both receiving and presenting numerous awards over the years.
Jere is survived by his wife, Nancy Dando; by his children, David & Kimberly Dando, Jeffrey & Diana Dando, and Kirsten & Jason Blue; by his grandchildren, Taylor & Ryan Andrews, Jessica & Christopher Oplak, Mark & Taylor Plummer, Michael & Eve Plummer, Megan & Nick Fox, and Benjamin Blue: by his great-grandchildren, Caleb, Braeden, Adam, Daniella, and Elijah Oplak, as well as Mercy, Justice, Able, Liberty, and Turner Andrews, and also Alexa, William, Hunter, Valerie, Ace, and Mayson; and by Steven and Sue Dando, his brother and sister-in-law. His brother Wally Dando, his parents Victor & Ruth Dando, and his son Kelvin Dando all precede him in death.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jere's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Wednesday, April 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Due to the Commonwealth of Virginia's current COVID-19 restrictions, Money and King Funeral Home is limited to 50 people for both visitations and funeral services. There is a sign up link below for those wanting to attend the viewing and greet the family in person. Funeral services for family only will be held at Money and King Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 15 at 12 noon. There will be a live stream link for those unable to attend in person. The family encourages friends to share stories and memories through the online guestbook. He will be interred at Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sea Scout Ship 1942, sent by check to Mr. Shawn Mickey at 3805 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031.
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Jere was born on November 19th, 1935, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Victor and Ruth Dando, brother of Wally (dec.) and Steven Dando.
Jere married Nancy Gustafson of Lawrence, KS, on June 11, 1959. They were married for nearly 62 years. Jere graduated from Shawnee-Mission High School in the class of 1954. He was a brilliant physicist and engineer, winning their local science fair with a continuous cloud-chamber, and going on to the nationals in Chicago – an achievement he remained fiercely proud of decades later.
Jere transferred from the University of Kansas to George Washington University, receiving a Bachelor's of Engineering/Applied Science in 1964. He became one of the country's foremost experts on HEMPs (high-altitude electromagnetic pulses), working to harden dozens of military systems and assets across the world against them. For nearly 30 years, he was the chief HEMP designer at Harry Diamond Laboratories in Woodbridge, VA. He accumulated awards and achievements far beyond mention in that time, but his highest accolade was the Army’s R&D Achievement award for his work as Technical Director for the HEMP upgrades to the Pershing Missile system. In 1994, he formed JD Engineering, a small consulting business where he provided his expertise to clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton and the Army Research Laboratory. He was a vigilant worker, refusing to retire until his work was finished, and never turning away an opportunity where he could be of assistance. He passed with several outstanding arrangements.
Jere was described by many as the most funny, brilliant man they ever knew. He valued family and integrity above all else. He loved gardening, sailing, and traveling. In his lifetime, he and Nancy saw many amazing places together – the Virgin Islands, Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower, Budapest, the Rock of Gibraltar… He saw everything he wanted to. He was also heavily involved in the Northern Virginia Sail & Power Squadron, serving as the commander from 1996-97, and both receiving and presenting numerous awards over the years.
Jere is survived by his wife, Nancy Dando; by his children, David & Kimberly Dando, Jeffrey & Diana Dando, and Kirsten & Jason Blue; by his grandchildren, Taylor & Ryan Andrews, Jessica & Christopher Oplak, Mark & Taylor Plummer, Michael & Eve Plummer, Megan & Nick Fox, and Benjamin Blue: by his great-grandchildren, Caleb, Braeden, Adam, Daniella, and Elijah Oplak, as well as Mercy, Justice, Able, Liberty, and Turner Andrews, and also Alexa, William, Hunter, Valerie, Ace, and Mayson; and by Steven and Sue Dando, his brother and sister-in-law. His brother Wally Dando, his parents Victor & Ruth Dando, and his son Kelvin Dando all precede him in death.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jere's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Wednesday, April 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Due to the Commonwealth of Virginia's current COVID-19 restrictions, Money and King Funeral Home is limited to 50 people for both visitations and funeral services. There is a sign up link below for those wanting to attend the viewing and greet the family in person. Funeral services for family only will be held at Money and King Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 15 at 12 noon. There will be a live stream link for those unable to attend in person. The family encourages friends to share stories and memories through the online guestbook. He will be interred at Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sea Scout Ship 1942, sent by check to Mr. Shawn Mickey at 3805 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031.
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Dear Nancy – We’re so sad to hear about Jere’s passing. We have many happy memories of him from NVSPS, making us laugh, and appreciating his incredible intellect. We hope that you find some peace in the company of all those who love you. Robin & Jim Roberts – Petersburg, Alaska
We will dearly miss Jere, our old friend of over 40 years. He could always make you laugh. My heartfelt condolences to Nancy, his children, and his extended family
Regardless of being a well respected Army Branch Chief , Jere is remembered as a top prankster. When Physicist Dr. Jim Penar, a branch member did not show up at the 1974 Branch Christmas Party hosted by Nancy and Jere, Jere called Dr Penar in the middle of the night multiple times begging him to assist his (fictional) pregnant wife. Realizing it was a call in error Jim kept saying he wasn’t an OBGYN and hung up. Jere kept calling multiple times still begging for Dr Penar to come to his house and assist his wife. Finally Jim realized he was the recipient of Jere’s prank calls. From that point on Jim made sure to show up at future branch events.
It has been a privilege to have worked with Jere on many Hemp Shielding Projects. I learned many things while working along with Jere. I had the privilege of working with Jere on some of his unique projects. I recall one project that we were working on together when Jere got upset with me because he thought i was not paying attention to him. Later , Jere apologized when he learned different and took his wrist watch off and gave it to me. I will miss working with Jere. My Prayers go out to Nancy, The Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Byrd Cole
Jere Dando, the man and the legend! I met Jere on my very first day as a Gov employee. I was about to start my career fresh out of school and Jere was just about to finish his last leg as Gov employee… 30+ years later, we were still talking and occasionally met when Jere stopped by ARL, a former Harry Diamond Lab. Being as smart as a whip, Jere never stopped working. Perhaps, he still had a few contracts left to fulfill even on his very last days on earth. I never forget his big smile and enthusiasm every time we met. He once tried to set me up with a young beautiful engineer but as much as he tried, I did not quite succeed Oh Jere, we love you and we miss you! My condolence to Nancy and the family. I had a chance to meet them at the viewing and knowing that Jere is now in a good place and he was surrounded with the people he loved. Thank you for all that you did for me, the lab, and all the people you met.
Peace be with you, Kirsten’s friends, Bill and Laura
In the Fall of 1991, I was house hunting and returned to a vacant house that I had previously visited with a realtor. As I was pondering things, a gray haired guy from the adjacent house walked up to me and said, “I’m Jere and I live next door. I will be glad to answer any questions about the house or neighborhood.” Since I saw a sailboat parked in his driveway, I asked him about sailing. Soon we were trading sailing stories, and I learned that he had owned the sailboat chartering company in the Virgin Island that I had used to charter two boats in 1979. What are the odds? We moved in a few months later, and over the next 29 years, shared many of life’s events including vacations and of course sailing together. He was “one-of a kind”, a friend, and will be terribly missed. Don Watts
I remember every time Kirsten and I were on the phone together he would grab the phone and then say, “Space Patrol.” It lasted my whole life and I loved it. The memories of his shenanigans will forever make those whose lives he touched smile. We love you. Love, Tracy, Jeff, Mike, Judy, and Jimmy.