John Edward Gulow, 94, of Chatham, MA, formerly of Parsippany, NJ, passed away peacefully at home in the night June 20th, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Melody Irene (Chrobak) Gulow. John was predeceased by his son John A. Gulow, stepson Ryan Chrobak, and sister Mary Evelyn (“Evie”) Van Ostenbridge. John is survived by his son Michael E. Gulow (wife Robin), stepdaughter Julie Chrobak, daughter-in-law Lucy Chrobak, grandsons Ian Gulow, and Michael A. Gulow, granddaughters Ashley Taylor (husband Brian Soares), Liana Mighty (husband Stuart), Molly Taylor, great grandchildren Damien Mighty, Leah Mighty, and Harper Mighty.
Born in Milwaukee, WI to John Anders Gulow and Gunnvor (Annexstad) Gulow originally from Sandefjord, Norway and later Rutherford, NJ, John was raised primarily in NJ. He graduated from Rutherford High School class of 1949 and graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now New Jersey Institute of Technology) in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and his Master of Engineering degree in 1966.
Upon his graduation in 1953, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve as a result of Air Force ROTC during college. It was at this time John had a 6-week assignment at Otis AFB in Truro, MA introducing him to Cape Cod and creating a dream that took many years to come true. Called into active duty in 1955, he was assigned as a U.S. Air Force 1st Lt Test Project Officer to the 4925th Test Group (Atomic) at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. There he conducted nuclear weapon compatibility test programs with new century series tactical fighter aircraft during their flight tests at Edwards AFB, CA. It included the McDonnell F-101, Lockheed F-104, Republic F-105, and North American F-107. He also conducted a special test for USAF B-57 nuclear cloud sampling aircraft at Eniwetok Atoll in 1957 and later.
Upon discharge from the USAF, John worked in the family business, Gulow Transformer Co., Inc. in East Rutherford, NJ and later in Carlstadt, NJ. He had also worked at Curtis-Wright Electronics Division in Carlstadt as a design engineer for flight simulator systems. Upon his father’s retirement, John became President of then Gulow Electronics, a division of Ragen Precision, Inc. in Moonachie, NJ. John expanded the business from transformer design and manufacture to electronics assembly and development of specialty electronic power supply systems.
John was offered and accepted a position at U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ as an electrical engineer involved in airborne munitions and delivery systems. He rose to a Civil Service Grade of GS-15 Branch Chief within the Fire Control Division of the United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Center (US ARDEC). Supervising about 60 engineers and technicians in various aspects of gun fire control systems for tanks, artillery, mortar and small arms systems involving design, configuration management, production support, and support for fielded systems.
Upon John’s retirement in 1994, with 32 years of federal service, his dream of living on Cape Cod came true and he and Melody relocated to Chatham, MA. John didn’t retire though but became very active in a number of volunteer activities. John started teaching computer use to senior citizens helping them catch up with the rapidly developing technology. He was associated with a number of new teaching programs, especially “Computers for Seniors” for nearly 15 years and with the Academy for Lifetime Learning, both affiliated with the Cape Cod Community College. Along with two other retirees John established Internett Associates, LLP which advocated the use of the new easy to use WebTV installing nearly 400 systems primarily on Cape Cod. John was a volunteer with the Chatham Railroad Museum for many years both as a docent and as a member of the Museum’s Board. John also gave talks on the history of the Old Colony Railroad on Cape Cod.
As a long-time member of Rotary International first in Rutherford, NJ and then in Dover, NJ where he served as Club President, John was proud to be supporting Rotary’s local, national and international good works. On retiring to the Cape, he continued that support joining the Chatham Rotary Club where he was a three-time Paul Harris Award recipient, had 30 years of perfect attendance, and wrote their award-winning club bulletin, The Chatham Light. John embodied the Rotary principles and the motto “service above self.” John was greatly loved by his family and friends and highly respected by all who knew him. He made the world better. He will be missed but will remain in our hearts forever.
John will be interred at the Bourne National Cemetery with honors at a private family gathering.
In lieu of flowers John requested donations be given to:
- The Rotary Club of Chatham (PO Box 436, Chatham, MA 02633) for the scholarships they give to local deserving students.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology General Scholarship Endowment Fund via check made payable to: The Foundation at NJIT and attributed to the memory of John Gulow ’53, ’66. To Mail: Office of University Advancement-Eberhardt Hall, NJIT, 323 Martin Luther Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102. For NJIT online donations: https://tinyurl.com/GulowJ