Claude Howard Craft was the son of Claude Hohenshell Craft and Leila Myrtle Kendall. He was always called Howard. He spent his early years in Elsinore, Riverside, CA, at the ranch belonging to his grandmother, Ida Hohenshell Craft, and great-uncle, Walter Hohenshell. When he was a sophomore in high school, his family lived in Highgrove, Riverside, CA. It was there that he met Dorothy Thomas, who was a senior at the time. They were both new to the school, and the first day of school they met at the bus stop. Some of the other kids greeted "the new kid," Howard; according to Dorothy, they ignored her. Some introduction to your future spouse! They discovered a mutual interest in music, and they played in various ensembles. After high school graduation, Howard attended Riverside Junior College. After 2 years, he transferred to Cal Tech in Pasadena, where he studied chemistry. He graduated from Cal Tech in 1939, and he married Dorothy Thomas on 7 Sep 1939. They had three children: James (1941), Richard (1944), and Linda (1946).
Howard's first job was with the Gilmore Oil Company, in Los Angeles. After a time, he went to work for Menasco, a manufacturer that made landing gear for Lockheed Aircraft, among other things. He transitioned from being a chemist to being a process engineer. He also started studying about metallurgy. Eventually he became a professional metallurgical engineer. He managed the metallurgical department for Metal Control Laboratories, which became part of Magnaflux. Later, he started his own metallurgical consulting business, where he investigated accidents and consulted with corporations regarding material processes. He continued to do this consulting work into his 80s.
Among his many gifts, Howard was a fine baritone, singing in choirs (and sometimes directing them) throughout his life. He also was an excellent pianist, and he and Dorothy used to entertain the children by playing piano duets. He was a generous and kind person who would do anything for a friend.
(James W. Craft, son, 8 April 2020)
Howard's first job was with the Gilmore Oil Company, in Los Angeles. After a time, he went to work for Menasco, a manufacturer that made landing gear for Lockheed Aircraft, among other things. He transitioned from being a chemist to being a process engineer. He also started studying about metallurgy. Eventually he became a professional metallurgical engineer. He managed the metallurgical department for Metal Control Laboratories, which became part of Magnaflux. Later, he started his own metallurgical consulting business, where he investigated accidents and consulted with corporations regarding material processes. He continued to do this consulting work into his 80s.
Among his many gifts, Howard was a fine baritone, singing in choirs (and sometimes directing them) throughout his life. He also was an excellent pianist, and he and Dorothy used to entertain the children by playing piano duets. He was a generous and kind person who would do anything for a friend.
(James W. Craft, son, 8 April 2020)
Claude Howard Craft was the son of Claude Hohenshell Craft and Leila Myrtle Kendall. He was always called Howard. He spent his early years in Elsinore, Riverside, CA, at the ranch belonging to his grandmother, Ida Hohenshell Craft, and great-uncle, Walter Hohenshell. When he was a sophomore in high school, his family lived in Highgrove, Riverside, CA. It was there that he met Dorothy Thomas, who was a senior at the time. They were both new to the school, and the first day of school they met at the bus stop. Some of the other kids greeted "the new kid," Howard; according to Dorothy, they ignored her. Some introduction to your future spouse! They discovered a mutual interest in music, and they played in various ensembles. After high school graduation, Howard attended Riverside Junior College. After 2 years, he transferred to Cal Tech in Pasadena, where he studied chemistry. He graduated from Cal Tech in 1939, and he married Dorothy Thomas on 7 Sep 1939. They had three children: James (1941), Richard (1944), and Linda (1946).
Howard's first job was with the Gilmore Oil Company, in Los Angeles. After a time, he went to work for Menasco, a manufacturer that made landing gear for Lockheed Aircraft, among other things. He transitioned from being a chemist to being a process engineer. He also started studying about metallurgy. Eventually he became a professional metallurgical engineer. He managed the metallurgical department for Metal Control Laboratories, which became part of Magnaflux. Later, he started his own metallurgical consulting business, where he investigated accidents and consulted with corporations regarding material processes. He continued to do this consulting work into his 80s.
Among his many gifts, Howard was a fine baritone, singing in choirs (and sometimes directing them) throughout his life. He also was an excellent pianist, and he and Dorothy used to entertain the children by playing piano duets. He was a generous and kind person who would do anything for a friend.
(James W. Craft, son, 8 April 2020)
Howard's first job was with the Gilmore Oil Company, in Los Angeles. After a time, he went to work for Menasco, a manufacturer that made landing gear for Lockheed Aircraft, among other things. He transitioned from being a chemist to being a process engineer. He also started studying about metallurgy. Eventually he became a professional metallurgical engineer. He managed the metallurgical department for Metal Control Laboratories, which became part of Magnaflux. Later, he started his own metallurgical consulting business, where he investigated accidents and consulted with corporations regarding material processes. He continued to do this consulting work into his 80s.
Among his many gifts, Howard was a fine baritone, singing in choirs (and sometimes directing them) throughout his life. He also was an excellent pianist, and he and Dorothy used to entertain the children by playing piano duets. He was a generous and kind person who would do anything for a friend.
(James W. Craft, son, 8 April 2020)
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C. Howard Craft
1916-2007
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