Roll Call Tribute
John Zemanek '43 April 21, 2016 9:05 AM updated: June 24, 2018 11:56 AM
Obituary and photo sent by former student
John Eugene Zemanek, FAIA, architect, planner and professor April 18, died in Houston, Texas on April 18, 2016 at the age of 94.
The youngest of twelve children of Czech immigrants Jan (John) and Frantiska (Frances) Machacek Zemánek, John was born on October 10, 1921 in Guy, Texas near the banks of the Brazos River.
Upon graduation from Texas A & M University, class of '43, with a degree in architecture he was called to active duty in the Army Air Corp. where he served as a B-24 bombardier flying allied missions out of Foggia, Italy. During his last mission on the last day of the European war, his plane was disabled by anti-aircraft fire and forced to make an emergency landing at an unmarked airfield behind enemy lines. All crew members were recovered.
He returned to Texas after the war and continued his education at the University of Texas (tu) in Austin where he received a Masters of Architecture degree before moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts to earn a Master of City Planning degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
After Harvard, John returned to Houston to practice in the offices of Kenneth Franzheim before relocating to Japan to work for the architect Antonin Raymond in Tokyo, where he planned 17 U.S. airbases in the Far East. He practiced also for the U. S. Department of State in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Returning once again to Houston, before establishing his solo practice, he worked with several Houston firms, including Wilson, Morris, and Crain where he contributed to the development of the Harris County Domed Stadium, also now known as the Astrodome.
Invited to teach at the University of Houston College of Architecture first as a visitor, then full time in 1964. He earned tenure in 1969. Over the 48 years that he continuously taught at the University of Houston he never failed to challenge his students.
In addition to the publication his work in local, national and international magazines and journals as well design awards at the local and state level, he received the coveted National AIA Honor Award in 1978 for his Three H Services Center for the Bordersville Community in the north Houston area.
John is survived by three generations family members, each one containing Former of Present Aggie students.
Details of a Memorial event to remember John will follow.
John Eugene Zemanek, FAIA, architect, planner and professor April 18, died in Houston, Texas on April 18, 2016 at the age of 94.
The youngest of twelve children of Czech immigrants Jan (John) and Frantiska (Frances) Machacek Zemánek, John was born on October 10, 1921 in Guy, Texas near the banks of the Brazos River.
Upon graduation from Texas A & M University, class of '43, with a degree in architecture he was called to active duty in the Army Air Corp. where he served as a B-24 bombardier flying allied missions out of Foggia, Italy. During his last mission on the last day of the European war, his plane was disabled by anti-aircraft fire and forced to make an emergency landing at an unmarked airfield behind enemy lines. All crew members were recovered.
He returned to Texas after the war and continued his education at the University of Texas (tu) in Austin where he received a Masters of Architecture degree before moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts to earn a Master of City Planning degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
After Harvard, John returned to Houston to practice in the offices of Kenneth Franzheim before relocating to Japan to work for the architect Antonin Raymond in Tokyo, where he planned 17 U.S. airbases in the Far East. He practiced also for the U. S. Department of State in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Returning once again to Houston, before establishing his solo practice, he worked with several Houston firms, including Wilson, Morris, and Crain where he contributed to the development of the Harris County Domed Stadium, also now known as the Astrodome.
Invited to teach at the University of Houston College of Architecture first as a visitor, then full time in 1964. He earned tenure in 1969. Over the 48 years that he continuously taught at the University of Houston he never failed to challenge his students.
In addition to the publication his work in local, national and international magazines and journals as well design awards at the local and state level, he received the coveted National AIA Honor Award in 1978 for his Three H Services Center for the Bordersville Community in the north Houston area.
John is survived by three generations family members, each one containing Former of Present Aggie students.
Details of a Memorial event to remember John will follow.
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