John Thomas Ach

June 12, 1940 – October 17, 2026

John Thomas Ach, 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

John was born in the small community of Montana Mines, West Virginia, to John and Ida Ach. He grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse next door to his childhood home and later attended Fairmont High School. One of the first people from his community to pursue a college education, he graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in aeronautical engineering.

During his college years, John lived in a boarding house alongside future basketball legends Jerry West and Rod "Hot Rod" Hundley, beginning a lifelong devotion to Mountaineer athletics.

Following graduation, John began a 36-year career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he rose through the ranks to become a respected leader in aerospace engineering and research. His work contributed to major aircraft programs, including the F-16, B-52, B-1B, A-10, and F-22. Along the way, he earned a master's degree in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton and received numerous professional honors, eventually becoming Chief of the Structural Integrity Branch. Despite his accomplishments, John remained a humble and unassuming man, never forgetting his rural West Virginia roots.

John met Carolyn Riffe on a blind date arranged by their friends Harvey and Madonna Parke. They married on July 8, 1966, beginning a partnership that would span more than 60 years. Both came from modest rural beginnings and shared a deep appreciation for education, hard work, and family, values they passed along to their children.

John and Carolyn were active members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio, for more than 20 years, and later became active members of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Throughout their lives, John and Carolyn were fortunate to share enduring friendships with Judy and Gary Hummel, Toby and Jerry Moeggenberg, Kay and Bill Beecroft, and Roland and Judy Watts. These friendships, built over many years and shared experiences, remained an important part of their lives.

John's passion for West Virginia athletics remained strong throughout his life. For more than 25 years, he and Carolyn regularly made the six-hour drive to Morgantown, often in their RV, to cheer on the Mountaineers. Their devotion to the blue and gold also took them to bowl games across the country. He was equally enthusiastic about his Cincinnati Reds, following the team both from home and at the ballpark.

An athlete himself, John played softball for more than 60 years, becoming known for his deceptively effective slow-pitch delivery. He coached his children's soccer and basketball teams, enjoyed gardening and landscaping alongside Carolyn, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Whether at his workbench or on a tractor clearing snow, John was happiest when he had something useful to do.

John and Carolyn traveled extensively, often by RV, including a memorable journey through Mexico aboard an RV train. An animal lover, John was particularly devoted to his cat Max, whom he walked on a leash through RV parks, becoming something of a local celebrity among fellow travelers.

Above all, John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He rarely missed his children's theatrical performances, photography exhibitions, band competitions, or marathons, and took great pride in his grandchildren, both for their achievements and the people they had become. Patient, empathetic, and kind, John had a remarkable ability to explain complicated things simply and was always generous with his time and knowledge.

John is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Riffe) Ach; daughter Tracy Brooks (Eric); son Brian Ach (Michelle Enfield); and grandchildren Kyle, Morgan, and Rachel Brooks. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Kevin Riffe (Shannon); niece Haley (Harrison) Hall; and cousins Debbie Cordell and Bill Poe (Linda). He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ida Ach, and niece Whitney Riffe.

On his final afternoon, surrounded by family, John had his beloved Mountaineers playing quietly in the background. In a remarkable comeback, West Virginia rallied to defeat Cincinnati on a last-second field goal. It was a fitting final chapter for a man whose love for WVU had been a constant throughout his life.

Visitation will take place Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at FairHaven Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 6557 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. A funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m., with a luncheon afterward at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Tenth Life, a cat-rescue organization from which John and Carolyn adopted their beloved feline companions. Contributions may be mailed to Tenth Life, P.O. Box 178, Alpha, OH 45301, or made online at https://www.thetenthlife.org/Donate.html.