John J. O’Blenis; Retired Design Engineer

John J. O’Blenis, a retired design engineer who worked on automobiles, rocket engines and night-vision systems, has died at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 76.

A resident of Northridge, O’Blenis died Wednesday of complications of emphysema, said his daughter, Sue Haber.

Born in Denver, Ind., O’Blenis studied engineering at Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame before he started designing automobiles for Studebaker Corp. in South Bend, Ind., in the late 1930s. During World War II, he began designing aircraft engines and in the early 1950s worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He conducted feasibility studies of nuclear-powered aircraft.

In 1956, O’Blenis came to California, where he designed rocket engines for Rockwell International Corp.’s Rocketdyne Division in Canoga Park until his retirement in the early 1970s. He also worked for Hughes Aircraft Co. in El Segundo from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, designing night-vision optical systems for helicopter pilots.

O’Blenis is survived by three daughters, Rachael Shryne of Northridge, Cathleen Cheaney of Canoga Park and Sue Haber of Redondo Beach; and four grandchildren. His wife of 36 years, Marjorie O’Blenis, died in 1974.

A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, in the Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary, Hollywood Hills, is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in O’Blenis’ name to the American Lung Assn.