Craig Depken
Craig Alan Depken, 72, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015, at a local hospital in Chattanooga. Craig was a proud graduate of Sewanee Military Academy, Class of 1960. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with Honors from Purdue University (1964), earned a Masters Degree and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1972). After serving as in-house consultant at Y-12 plant at Oak Ridge Research facility, he formed his engineering consulting company, Design Associates (DEA), performing forensic engineering analysis of incidences when humans and machines intersect, testifying in state and federal courts. He was a registered Professional Engineer, a member of Tau Beta Pi mechanical engineering honorary society, Sigma Xi scientific honorary society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was inducted into the Order of the Engineer at UTC in 2014. Growing up in Hialeah, Fla., he became an Eagle Scout at the age of 13. He enjoyed the challenge of growing hydroponic vegetables and continued his research into sustainable energy for small farms. He found a new set of friends in the Chattanooga Farmers Club of Chattanooga. He enjoyed being a lay reader at church and working with the Mens Group. Craig enjoyed cooking for large groups from the Cathedral of St. Philip mens club to the local horse shows, Fairyland School Festival, the Marion County Republican Club and the Sixth Cavalry Museum "Patriotism at the Post" Fourth of July celebration. Craig was an avid reader and loved building Legos with his grandchildren. He lived his life as a Christian, a gentleman and a true patriot of his country. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gerry; children Craig (Linda), of Concord, N.C., Christian "Chris", of Savannah, Ga., Cynthia (Lockwood) Jackson, of York, S.C.; grandchildren, William Christian, Campbell, Cate, Craig III "Trey", Matthew, Catherine; mother in-law, Josephine Wotasek, Fort Oglethorpe; in-laws, Cynthia Wotasek, Lost Creek, W.Va., Bob and Judy Wotasek, Stockton, N.J.; and several cousins and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William Tews; mother, Ruth Cowan; stepfather, Harry Depken; grandparents, Charles and Mary Luebeck; and amazing aunts, Viola and Edna Luebeck. Funeral Services will be at The Church of the Good Shepherd, York, S.C. (Episcopal) and interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Park, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America at www.scouting.org, or Sixth Cavalry Museum, P.O. Box 201, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742. Visit www.wecare@heritagebattlefield.com to share words of comfort with the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.
Published July 27, 2015