Jonathan Page, 32, defense engineer

Jonathan Robert Page, 32, a former Merchantville chess champion who went on to work at a world-renowned synchrotron radiation lab and most recently was doing defense work for the Navy, died with his wife in a car accident Friday, Sept. 10, in California while en route to Las Vegas.

Mr. Page had lived in Sunnyvale, Calif., for the last six years and was an engineer for Communications & Power Industries Inc. in Palo Alto.

At CPI, Mr. Page worked on a number of satellite-communications projects. One of his most recent tasks was developing microwave equipment used to protect Navy ships, his family said.

"His work was so important for the world. He was saving lives," his mother, Nancy, said.

Mr. Page was born and raised in Merchantville. While growing up, he belonged to several swim teams, including the Woodbine Swim Club, the now-defunct Voyager, and the YMCA of Burlington County team.

"He was good, but he wasn't going to the Olympics," his mother said and laughed.

Mr. Page also picked up chess before starting high school. During his high school years, he competed in tournaments set up by a local chess club.

Mr. Page won a few scholarships through those club tournaments. In 1997, he won the club's highest award, the Trustees' Trophy. He also volunteered several hours each week to teach chess to new and younger club members.

A 1996 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, Mr. Page attended Cornell University.

After graduating from Cornell in 2000, he landed a job as a support technician at the Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source, a large underground research facility. He helped scientists from all over the world conduct research there, his family said.

While working at Cornell, he met Yulin Wang through mutual friends. The couple moved to California in 2004 and married in 2008.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Page is survived by his father, Robert; a brother; and a sister.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Stephenson-Brown Funeral Home, 33 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 43 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.