Jerome H. Nymberg Jr.

Jerome Henry “Jerry” Nymberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great‑grandfather, veteran, mechanical engineer, business executive, beloved mentor, and faithful friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, at the age of 96.

To know Jerry was to feel welcomed. Whether meeting a stranger or a lifelong friend, he treated every person with the same warmth, respect, and genuine interest. His gift was making people feel valued. Wherever he went, familiar faces greeted him with hugs, smiles, and stories about the impact he had on their lives. A simple hello from Jerry could transform a brief encounter into a lifelong friendship.

Born on June 28, 1929, Jerry grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, where he developed the curiosity, ingenuity, and optimism that would shape his life. He graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and went on to build an extraordinary career marked by integrity, innovation, and leadership.

Before beginning his professional career, Jerry proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot—part of the proto–Top Gun generation. He trained at Pensacola Naval Air Station and flew both single‑engine and multi‑engine aircraft, including the T‑6 Trainer and the PB4Y Privateer patrol bomber. He served as Battalion Subcommander, second in command of cadet training, earning the respect of fellow cadets and enlisted personnel alike. He often laughed when recalling that even as a cadet, enlisted sailors were required to salute him and address him as “Sir.” He also put his engineering degree to use as an instructor, teaching others how aircraft engines operated and how to repair them.

In 1964, Jerry became a partner in the U.S. Drill Head Company, as well as U.S. Standard Patterns and Foundry Co., eventually serving as President and Chief Executive Officer. 0Over more than four decades, he helped build the company into an internationally respected manufacturer and innovator in the machine‑tool industry and the largest drill head company in the world. Under his leadership, the company became known for excellence in specialty machinery, engineering innovation, and spindle‑head manufacturing—including the development of the Tur-a-dex, his patented industrial high- speed rotary indexing machining system. Colleagues admired not only his brilliance as an engineer and executive leader, but also for his honesty, fairness, and commitment to servant leadership.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Jerry considered his family his greatest blessing and the truest measure of a successful life. He adored his wife, Pat, with a devotion that inspired all who knew them. Their marriage was rooted in grace, faith, and unwavering love. Even after Pat passing, he carried her memory in his heart every day and spoke of her with the same tenderness, affection and admiration that had marked their life together.

Long before it was common, Jerry embraced a hands‑on role as a husband and father. He changed diapers, helped with meals along with household chores while working side‑by‑side with Pat in raising their six children—five sons and one daughter. He patiently guided homework assignments, solved practical problems, shared wisdom, unconditional love, and comfort in difficult moments. His children knew they could turn to him for anything—repairing a broken appliance, solving calculus problems, navigating a personal struggle, or simply hearing words of encouragement. He possessed a rare combination of intelligence and compassion, expressed through humor, curiosity, mechanical skill, and an almost uncanny ability to fix anything. Friends and family joked that he had never encountered a gadget he couldn’t repair or a project too large to tackle. Yet his greatest talent was understanding people. He listened without judgment, offered help without hesitation, and gave generously of his time, resources, and heart.

Jerry’s optimism was legendary. One of his favorite beliefs was that happiness is a frame of mind. No matter the obstacle or disappointment, he chose gratitude, humor, and hope. He demonstrated that a positive attitude can overcome adversity, a sense of humor can ease difficult situations, and a simple act of kindness can change someone’s day—or even their life.

Outside of work and family, Jerry pursued a wide range of interests. He was an avid golfer, a world traveler, a devotee of big‑band music, and a fisherman who taught generations of children the beauty of catch‑and‑release fishing. He served his community generously through numerous organizations, including president of Overhill Swim Club; Assistant Scoutmaster and Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 909; more than 35 years with the Oriental Order of Groundhogs, a business leader association; and over 40 years as a member—and for a time--president of AXE, a men’s religious/social group. Through each organization, he brought the same enthusiasm, leadership, and friendship that defined every aspect of his life. More than any title he held or achievement he earned, Jerry will be remembered for how he made people feel.

His legacy endures in the family he cherished, the friendships he cultivated, the communities he served, and the example he set for all who knew him. With his humor, compassion, and a steadfast belief in the fundamental goodness of people, Jerry left a meaningful and lasting impression.

Though he will be deeply missed, his family takes comfort in the knowledge that the lessons he taught, the love he shared, and the countless acts of kindness that defined his life will continue to ripple outward, inspiring generations to come.

Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Patricia T. Nymberg. He is the loving father of Dr. Jerome (Jane) Nymberg III, Timothy (Patricia) Nymberg, Daniel (Diane) Nymberg, Dr. Thomas Nymberg, Susan (Dr. Kerry) Crone, and Michael (the late Michelle) Nymberg. He is the devoted grandfather of Elizabeth Nymberg (Zachary Popovec), Stephen, Douglas (Chloe), Jeffrey (Adrienne), Gregory (Casey Frazier), Daniel, David (Allison), Kathleen (Seth) Rogers, Paul, Jonathan, Caroline, Yodeet, Kaleb, William, Thomas, James (Krystal), Kevin (Samantha), and Kelly (Nicholas Boeckermann); and the proud great‑grandfather of Brooks, Charlie, Avery, Theodore, Joseph, Maria, Peter, Lily, Elijah, Jackson, Cayden, and Ashtin. He is also the dear brother of the late Donna Jane (Richard) Zane and Donald (Mary Kay) Nymberg.

Visitation will be held at St. Antoninus Church, 1500 Linneman Road, on Tuesday, June 2, from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263, or to the Jerome H. and Patricia T. Nymberg Scholarship Fund at Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205 (513‑921‑3422 or [email protected]). B.J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home is serving the family. Flowers and condolences may be sent at www.bjmeyer.com.