Francis "Frank" J. Koubek

Francis (Frank) J. Koubek of Cincinnati, OH, lost his battle with Covid on September 28, 2021. He was 92.

Before his retirement in 1985 from the Naval Surface Weapons Center (formerly the Naval Ordnance Laboratory) in Silver Spring, MD, Mr. Koubek was a recognized technical expert and pioneer in the research and development of heat resistant materials of critical importance to the U.S. Navy. His achievements impacted on many of the Navy’s advanced missile and aircraft development programs. He was the author of numerous technical papers and reports; he held four patents and received a number of special awards from the Navy for his achievements in materials science. Mr. Koubek also headed the Non-Metallic Materials Branch during the final 10 years of his career at the Center.

Mr. Koubek was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and received his primary education there, graduating from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (high school) in 1946. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland in 1951. Before joining the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in 1956, Mr. Koubek worked as an engineer for a Baltimore-based consulting chemical engineering company working on industrial water conditioning and waste disposal problems and the E. I. Dupont Co. in the manufacture of titanium dioxide pigments. Mr. Koubek also served 15 years in the 29th Infantry Division (Maryland National Guard) and the U.S. Army Reserves achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer - Combat Engineers.

After retiring from his Navy position, Mr. Koubek and his wife Betty L. Koubek moved to Cincinnati, her home town. In retirement, Mr. Koubek enjoyed working with wood and was a member of the American Association of Wood Turners and the National Wood Carvers Association. He also served as Chairperson of the Green Wood Chippers in Cincinnati for six years.

Mr. Koubek was predeceased by his wife Betty, his two sons Gregory and Mark, his daughter Gina Koubek, and his two son-in-laws Timothy Appler and Jamey Ferguson. He is survived by his four daughters from a previous marriage: Suzanne Probst (Phillip) of Columbia, MD; Kathleen Koubek of Portland, OR; Jacqueline Lanier of Annapolis, MD; and Michele Appler of Pasadena, MD. In addition, he is survived by his grandsons: Mark Bacher, Jacob Appler, David Appler and Samuel Appler. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph F. Koubek and his sister, Patricia Sturla (Lawrence) of Baltimore, MD, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral arrangements held privately for the family. Mihovk-Rosenacker honored to serve.