Thomas A. Ippolito

Thomas A. Ippolito

Thomas A. Ippolito, 95, a leader in the Nuclear Engineering field, died January 20, 2026, comfortably at his home in Fredericksburg, Va. He was born in Rochester, N.Y., and resided in Fairfax County, Va., before moving to King George, Va., in 1987 and Fredericksburg, Va., in 2010.

Mr. Ippolito graduated from Marquette University with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his professional career in the US Navy's Nuclear Power Program, then worked as a senior executive with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission finishing that career as Deputy Director of the NRC. During his time at the NRC, he also served as Chairman of the International Atomic Energy Commission. He retired from the NRC in 1986 and subsequently worked as an independent Nuclear Energy Consultant before retiring in 1995.

He was involved with the US Nuclear Standards efforts with the IEEE and International Standards. He was a member of the American Nuclear Society.

Mr. Ippolito was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years and girlfriend of 80 years, Adrian Ippolito; three children, Rosanne M. Backhus of Clifton, Va., Andrea T. Ippolito of Manassas, Va., and Thomas J. Ippolito of Smithfield, Va.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Covenant Funeral Service, 10830 Patriot Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 8200 Robert E. Lee Dr, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551. Interment will be held privately at Quantico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210-9948.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.