John Foster Hackenberg

John Foster Hackenberg, 82, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Joan Nail Hackenberg entered into eternal rest Monday, February 12, 2024. His funeral service will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 in the St. Andrew's Church Mount Pleasant, 440 Whilden Street at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow at the Hackenberg residence.Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.

John was born February 10, 1942 in Milton, Pennsylvania, son of the late John Ivan Hackenberg and the late Pearl Kaczynski Hackenberg. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, John started a career in the Machine Tool Distribution business, and ultimately founded J & H Machine Tools, Inc as Co-Owner/President in 1979. While managing and nurturing J & H to represent machine tool manufacturers in 9 Southeastern states with 82 employees, he served as the National Chairman of the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association from 1994-1995 and The Oriental Order of Groundhogs (a machine tool fraternal organization). He enjoyed piloting his WWII Vintage Airplane and was a member of both the East Cooper Pilots Association and the local Quiet Birdman Pilots Organization. Known for his strong interest in architecture and historic preservation and restoration, John lent his expertise while serving on the National Advisory Committee for the Historic Charleston Foundation, and as the Chairman of the Old Village Historic District Commission. You could find John, surrounded by his family, and enjoying the lowcountry on his boat.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan Nail Hackenberg of Mt. Pleasant; daughter, Jenny Keenan (Joe) and their children Jay and Lily, all from Mount Pleasant, SC. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patty Hackenberg.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting a donation to The John Hackenberg Memorial Pilot Scholarship Fund, Created to Honor John’s Love of Aviation and his Vision to Help aspiring future Pilots achieve their Dream of Flying. The Fund will be administered by the Charlotte NC Chapter of the EAA. Please remit donations to EAA Chapter 309, PO Box 3083, Mooresville, NC 28117. Please include a note/memo “For The John Hackenberg Scholarship Fund”. EAA 309 is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are Tax Deductible.