John Arthur Overstrom, 73, of Sunderland, Maryland passed away August 19, 2026. He was born on April 27, 1953, to Carl and Eleanor (Johnson) Overstrom in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Shortly after his birth, the Overstrom family moved to Painted Post, New York where John spent his early years, graduating from Corning-Painted Post West High school in 1971. He attended Corning Community College then Clarkson University, graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering in 1975.
In 1976, John joined the United States Air Force and worked as an electronics engineer, attaining the rank of Captain and being honorably discharged after 10 years of service.
In 1984, he married his wife Cynthia in Princeton, New Jersey, later having two wonderful children together.
In his career as a civilian, John continued the work he started in the Air Force: designing, building, testing, launching, and operating weather satellites for military and civilian use, including decades of work on both the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and the Geostationary Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. He retired from The Aerospace Corporation in 2018.
John had many hobbies and passions. He enjoyed working on electronics and computer projects, building a wide variety of practical and decorative items in his wood and metal shop, and repairing nearly any mechanical or electrical device his family and friends brought to him. Continuing a hobby that started with a college astronomy course, he enjoyed astronomy and astrophotography. He also enjoyed organizing and participating in the All Saints Church wine tasting group, Les Saints du Vin. John loved spending time outdoors: working in the yard, swimming in the pool, hiking, and sailing. Much of his time in retirement was spent working on and sailing his catamaran, Cyrrah, on the Chesapeake Bay alongside his family and friends.
John was a wonderful husband, father, and friend whose intellect, kindness, and passion for life showed in everything he did.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cynthia (Runo) Overstrom, children Martin and Rachel Overstrom, son-in-law Chris Hotard, niece Michelle (Ross) Gehan, brother-in-law Lee Kline, and sister-in-law JoAnn Runo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Eleanor Overstrom, and sisters Dorothy Overstrom and Ruth (Overstrom) Kline.
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Mike Settles
August 27 – Obituary: John Arthur Overstrom
Very sad to hear of John’s passing. John and I worked in the same office in the old building when he first came to NOAA. He was intelligent, friendly, kind, and a great engineer to bounce ideas off of. He always talked enthusiastically about his family and hobbies. We talked off-and-on in the new building too even with our work having diverged. May God bless your family and give you peace.
Jack and Adriana Vandermeulen
August 25 – Obituary: John Arthur Overstrom
Adriana and I have known John since the end of 2017. At our first wine tasting we overheard a conversation between him and Kip about sailing and I told him about my love for sailing. A month later I joined him and Kip sailing in the Chesapeake. Meticulously as John is he told me early this year that in those 9 years I had sailed with him 100 times. I have fond memories of the topics we discussed on Cyrrah and in the car during our drive to the marina. I always looked forward to his plot, the nautical miles sailed and a summary of events during the trip. I remember him as being very kind, detailed, knowledgeable with a very interesting background. The last few years John, Cindy, Adriana and I had a great time going to restaurants, not just enjoying the food but also good conversations. Adriana and I will miss John dearly.
Goodbye my friend, goodbye my sailor.
Annika Denbaum( Öfverström)
August 24 – Obituary: John Arthur Overstrom
Sending greetings from your relative in Sweden. Our fathers were cousins. Met you the first time in 1973 when visiting Painted Post. Lots of warm memories.You and your family came to visit us in Sweden 2016 and we also met in Amherst, Mass when my son studied there for a year in 2017. Even though we lived far apart I always felt that special bond to you and your family. will miss you
Alicia Moore
August 24 – Obituary: John Arthur Overstrom
John was one of the good ones!!!! He was funny, brilliant, easy to talk to, kind, had great taste in wine, and was just a joy to know. I am so saddened by his passing and I will miss him very much…..
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