Dr. John Robert Huffman

John Robert “Jack” Huffman, 93, of Columbia, died Sunday, July 6, 2014. Born October 7, 1920, in Pekin, IL, he was the son of the late Chester Leroy Huffman and Virginia Strathman Huffman. Jack grew up in St. Louis, IL and Shreveport, LA and graduated from high school in Mt. Lebanon, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, PA, where he met the love of his life, Alice Eileen Flaherty. Jack went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his PH.D. from UCLA. He was a professor at UCLA and at the “other” USC before being recruited by industry. Dr. Huffman pioneered the computerizing of warehousing and distribution for General Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, OH, and did consulting work for a materials handling subsidiary of Aerojet General in Frederick, MD. In 1970, Jack returned to Los Angles where he quickly became a partner in a small worldwide consulting firm. He retired in 1995 and moved to South Carolina in 1999 after the sudden death of his wife. In South Carolina, he was very active in the Associated Model Railroads of Columbia, including serving a term as president. He also counseled Small Business Administration borrowers as part of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). For the past four years, he lived at The Palmettos of Parklane, which he considered his second home here in South Carolina. Jack will be remembered as a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. Survivors include his son, Dr. Leroy J. Huffman (Mary) of Columbia; grandsons, Christopher and Burke Huffman; younger sister, Dorothy of Eaton, PA; and three nieces. A memorial service for Dr. Huffman will be held 4 o’clock, Wednesday, July 9th, at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, 5202 Colonial Dr., Columbia, with The Rev. Barry Gray officiating. The family will greet friends prior to the service, beginning at 3 o’clock. Jack’s ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean as were his beloved wife’s. Friends may call at other times at the home of his son, Dr. Roy Huffman. The family requests memorials be made to Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Dr., Columbia, SC 29206. The family wishes to express their gratitude to The Palmettos of Parklane and Lutheran Hospice for their care of Jack.

Tributes

Dr. John Robert Huffman

October 7, 1920 - July 6, 2014