James Richard Voss

James Richard Voss was born April 8, 1926 in Rockford, Illinois and died on the Hinds farm in Dupont, Indiana on November 22, 2021.

Son of Charles Voss and Sarah Pore Voss, he was predeceased by his sisters, Evelyn Voss Palm and Shirley Voss Henley, and his daughter, Janice Voss.  He is survived by his wife of 70½ years, Louise Hinds Voss; sisters: Sally Voss Trefz and Dorothy Voss Baits; daughters: Victoria Voss Fransham (Rob Fransham), Linda Voss, and Karen Voss; granddaughters: Amanda Fransham (Juan Saenz), Kimberly Fransham and Kristina Voss, and fourteen nieces and nephews.

A WWII veteran, he served in the Navy. Upon discharge, he completed his education at Purdue University, receiving his PhD in Physics in 1954. He worked for Bendix, then Woodward Governor, where he established a career in control programs for their governor line of products.  In 1967, he continued his career at American Bosch in Springfield, Massachusetts, later to leave to form a company in 1982, United Innovations Inc., with two other engineers to make a computerized engraver. An innovative engineer, he is the inventor on record for more than a dozen patents, in the automotive area of controls and diesel engines, and the area of computerized engravers. He retired in 1992 to the Hinds farm near Dupont, Indiana.

A private pilot, he enjoyed flying small planes, and developed a governor that syncs the two engines of a two-prop plane. He taught night classes at Springfield community college.  Active in the Masons in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, he was a contributor to the Shriners’ hospital program.  He enjoyed time with his family, camping, Big Band music, and, of course, chocolate.

The Celebration of Life gathering with friends and neighbors will be Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 2pm to 4pm on the Hinds Farm at 7622 N 650 W.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children. Contributions may be made at Lytle Welty Funeral Home or below.

Lytle Welty Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Vail Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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