It is with a heavy heart that the staff at the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization (CNEU) and its NSF NACK Center must report to its statewide and national constituency on the death of Jamie G. Houseknecht. Jamie died on Saturday April 3 as a result of injuries sustained in a one vehicle car crash, near his former home in Benton Pennsylvania. Jamie was 27 years old at the time of his death and, as most of you know, was a key member of the staff at CNEU.

Jamie graduated in May 2003 from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport PA with a degree Associate in Applied Science in Semiconductor Processing Technology with a Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Emphasis. During the final semester of his associate degree, Jamie attended the NMT capstone semester at PSU – University Park. Jamie was inspired by chemistry and nanotechnology and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Bloomsburg University in May 2007. Jamie made great use of his summer breaks. During the summer recesses of 2003 and 2005, Jamie was a teaching assistant / outreach associate at CNEU. Jamie competed for and earned nanotechnology undergraduate research positions at the University of South Carolina and Marshall University during the summers of 2004 and 2006. Upon graduation from Bloomsburg, Jamie went to work as a Research Associate for Becton, Dickinson, and Company in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Jamie was enticed back to PSU CNEU in Mach of 2008 to become the Recruitment Coordinator / Research Associate for the Center. Jamie’s technical competence, his inquisitiveness, and his outstanding personality made him a perfect fit for this very important position. Jamie performed many functions during his tenure at CNEU. He contributed in many ways to the CNEU’s National ATE Center for Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) by, for example, serving as a technical instructor for the nanotechnology capstone semester, doing national nanotechnology webinars, and serving on several national nanotechnology education committees.

Jamie was an avid outdoorsman. His passion was hunting, fishing, and sailing. He was often up at the crack of dawn to fish or hunt before he came to work, and many of his vacation days were spent enjoying this pursuit. Jamie is survived by a large family and his partner Allison Sharpe, and their two dogs Bernadette and Sassy.

Jamie made a large impact during his short life. Jamie was the type of person who you wanted to get to know. His personality and smile lit up every room he was in. He took great pride in his contribution to the scientific community, was a beloved community member, and an amazing friend to all. He will be sorely missed.

Visitation for Jamie will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the McMichael Funeral Home Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road (state Route 487), Benton. The graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at Gordner's Cemetery, Unityville, with the Rev. Ronald G. Montgomery, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Unityville, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jamie's memory to the Pennsylvania S.P.C.A., 2801 Bloom Road, Danville, PA 17821, or to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for their Youth Mentoring Program. For online condolences or to sign the online register book, please visit: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

Jamie G. Houseknecht 1982 – 2010