John T. Lukowski

Waasa Location
On June 27th, John Lukowski, deeply beloved family member, life partner, friend, and educator passed away at 66 years old at UP Health System-Portage Hospital after his battle with cancer. Before making his home on the farm on Pontiac Road, his life began in Detroit, Michigan. Here, John graduated in 1977 from Aero Mechanics High School, where he was proud to have been taught by one of the original Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.
John's distinguished academic and professional career continued with his education at Michigan Technological University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1981, followed by his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1984. His early career saw him as a product engineer at Delco Electronics, a division of General Motors Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana, from 1981 to 1983. During this period, he also pursued graduate-level mathematics studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, while working full-time. John returned to Michigan Tech in 1983 to continue his graduate studies.
In 1984, John embarked on a dedicated career at Michigan Technological University, initially joining the School of Technology as an instructor and later becoming an assistant professor of Electrical Engineering Technology. His commitment to education extended beyond his primary department, as he also taught courses for the Electrical Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering Departments. From 1988 to 1998, he spent his summers as a research scientist and engineer in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering.
In 2006, John accepted a position as an associate professor of electrical engineering in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at MTU, where he continued to inspire and educate until his retirement in March of 2025. His excellence in teaching was widely recognized, as he was a three-time recipient of the prestigious IEEE Eta-Kappa-Nu Professor of the Year Award, which is voted on by the students, in 2009, 2010, and 2022. Beyond his professional life, John was known as the man who could fix anything and everything until they were "beautiful...beautiful, beautiful" again, all while never setting down his favorite beverage: Old Milwaukee. He was a dedicated member of his community, serving with the Boston Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years (20 years as chief) and a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary 09W-11-02-210. John's love of the area led him to not only be a local history buff, but a huge advocate for Land Preservation and was an active member of the Isle Royale Boaters Association, where he enjoyed many fun fishing trips on his boat. When not on the water, John was an avid deer hunter and had a successful archery kill in 2003 that is in the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan Record Book.
In addition to the thousands of students he taught at MTU, John was a strong supporter of young people in the local 4H clubs and participating in the Houghton County Fair. He and his long-time partner, Terrie Bray, were a part of the Houghton County Fair Association and used their farm to encourage kids to learn about raising animals. Here, they created their life and memories around raising their animals and enjoying their vast property that contains multiple "can tree" trails, marked from the result of decades of walks taken together.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Antony and Theresa Anna (Wisniewski) Lukowski.
John is survived by his partner Terrie Bray, of 32 years, and their many animals. His siblings Margaret (Larry) Hathaway, Bernard (Kathleen) Lukowski, Susan (David) Knechtges, Robert (Karen) Lukowski, and Dan (Jane) Lukowski. His in-laws Erin (Rodney) Nuttall and Kim (Jeff) Kent. His 18 aunts and uncles, 27 cousins, and 16 nieces and nephews. May his legacy live on through his cherished family members and the numerous young minds he's mentored throughout his life.
A time to remember John will be held Wednesday July 9, 2025 from 4 to 7:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel.
To view John's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John, please visit our floral store.