Dr. John C. Szczepanski

"> John C. Szczepanski
Dr. John C. Szczepanski, 58, previously of Stow, Mass., and more recently of Huntsville, Alabama, died February 11, 2008, at Huntsville Hospital. He was the husband of Christina (Stavnicky) Szczepanski. Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of Helen Szczepanski of Bethlehem and the late Casmir Szczepanski. Dr. Szczepanski spent 22 years in the military before retiring in 1993 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During that time, he served in the U.S. Army Strategic Defense Command, instructed at the United States Military Academy as an Assistant Professor of Physics, and completed many assignments in support of the Air Defense Artillery. He received his bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1971. Additionally, he completed his master of science degrees in Computer Science and Physics and earned his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. After retiring from the military, Dr. Szczepanski joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, Mass., as a staff member in the Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Engineering and Analysis Group. He served in this capacity until his assignment to the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in 1999. While at Kwajalein, he served in several capacities culminating in his assignment as the Site Manager. In 2004, he returned to Lincoln Laboratory to serve as the Group Leader of the Missile Defense Elements Group. In 2007, he was assigned to work as the Technical Director for the Missile Defense Agency office of Testing, Fielding and Integration in Huntsville. Dr. Szczepanski lived life to the fullest. He was a gifted athlete, talented musician and respected mentor and educator. Without question, though, he valued his family above all else. Survivors: Wife; mother; two sons, John Szczepanski of Tampa, Fla., and Michael Szczepanski of Clarksville, Tenn.; daughter, Kristina MacPherson of Newton, Mass.; two brothers, Joseph Szczepanski of Albuquerque, N.M., and Thomas Szczepanski of Lawton, Okla.; two sisters, Rita Kapun and Rosemarie Szczepanski, both of Bethlehem; five grandchildren, with another soon to arrive. Services: Viewing, 6-9 p.m. Sunday, February 17, 2008, and 10-11:15 a.m. Monday, February 18, 2008, Connell Funeral Home Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Mass of Christian Burial, noon Monday, February 18, 2008, Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 617 Pierce St., Bethlehem. A burial will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at the West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy. Online condolences may be made at www.connellfuneral.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Cancer Institute (http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/NCI/donations) on behalf of Dr.John Szczepanski.