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RICHARD WISNIEWSKI Obituary
RICHARD JOHN WISNIEWSKI
On Sunday, May 27, 2012, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of Janet Wisniewski; father of Edward (Jing) Wisniewski, James (Debra) Wisniewski, Judith Wisniewski, Peter (Susan) Wisniewski, Marisa (Mark) Friederich and Tami (Paul) Dollar; brother of Leonard Wisniewski, Loretta Mohar, Celine Weir and the late Stanley, Edward, Henry and Raymond Wisniewski. Also survived by 20 grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard, West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Church, 12319 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, #420, Rockville, MD 20850.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD WISNIEWSKI
Sponsored by The Winkler Family.
Fran Cannetti
May 23, 2019
Dick was always a great mentor when I was at NASA. He is in my thoughts today.
June 22, 2018
Thinking of you tonight, Grandpa. I miss you
January 10, 2016
Happy Birthday Dad. We miss you very much!
November 9, 2014
I have very fond memories of the Wisniewski Family. Dick always commanded excellence from his sons and daughters, and I think he would be very proud. My sincerest condolences from the Winkler Family. God Bless.
Suzi Tanksley
June 10, 2012
I have very fond memories of you that will forever be part of my childhood and my heart.
Matt & Denise Carlisle
June 8, 2012
The Wisniewski Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Dick. We have had the pleasure of getting to know him over the past 5 years while vacationing in Canada. May God bless your family during this difficult time. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
The Carlisle Family,
Matt, Denise, Matty & Gabe
June 3, 2012
To Peter Wisniewski and family and the entire Wisniewski family,
Please accept our deepest and heartfelt condolences on your loss.
The Pomilla Family
June 1, 2012
I was privileged to work with Dick for many years while at NASA. He was a dedicated and proud public servant who earned the respect of all who came in contact with him. He always stood by his values and convictions, even when not politically correct and/or unpopular. My condolences to the Wisniewski family.
Mack Steel
Terri & Chuck Facini
June 1, 2012
Dear Peter, Sue and Wisniewski Family members -- Please accept our condolences for your loss and know that we are praying for you and understand your loss.
Malcolm Peterson
June 1, 2012
In the history of remarkable personalities in NASA, Dick Wisniewski will always be remembered. Most notable perhaps was the passion he had about the contributions of the civil service engineers, managers and administrators to the success of human space flight missions. He challenged all in NASA senior management to recognize and value their importance. He was witty, acerbic, and funny. And, very very smart. And, as Jack Dailey and Dan Goldin can testify, always willing to speak out when he believed a point had to be made. Dick was a major league ballplayer, talented and capable, and so so memorable.
John Sheahan
June 1, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go to the Wisniewski family. It was my privilege to work with and for Dick over 15 years at NASA Headquarters. He had an ability to quickly identify an issue and develop solutions that none of us could initially see. He was also courageous in speaking the truth, no matter what the circumstances. More importantly, he was an incredibly decent human being whose humanity shone through in many difficult personnel situations. We all share in your loss.
May 31, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Wisniewski and the family. I am very sorry for your loss. I will miss my friend and my conversations with him.
~ Ted Franklin, New Orleans, La.
Fran Cannetti
May 31, 2012
It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with Dick at NASA Headquarters for many years. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Brian Rockey
May 31, 2012
Mr. Wisniewski, I will miss your smile and the constant laughs you provided me. God has received a wonderful man. I am blessed to know such a wonderful family. Six great children and 20 grandchildren. You have so much to be proud of. I'll see you again one day and we'll enjoy several more laughs. Rest in Peace my friend. Brian...
Al and Suzanne Sofge
May 30, 2012
Dear family of our beloved "Wiz",
Wiz was an inspiration and a mentor to so many of us NASA family. He will always be in our hearts, he was a profound influence and inspiration to so many of us. What a fine human being he was, and a beloved friend. I'm so sorry for your loss. To Wiz, I love you, my friend. Always.
Al Sofge and Suzanne Hilding Sofge
Patrick Scheuermann
May 30, 2012
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Wisniewski passing and extend my sincerest condolences to the entire Wisniewski family. He was a great leader in NASA, very respected and sought after for his knowledge and perspectives. The agency has lost a true legend.
Donald Teague
May 30, 2012
Dick was a very honest and brilliant man with strong humane values. He will be greatly missed. My condolence to the family.
Dave Hornestay
May 30, 2012
Dick was a fine and respected executive. Even more important, he was a thoughtful and considerate human being with the rare integrity to both speak truth to power and to acknowledge his rare mistakes.
Ann Bradley
May 30, 2012
Dick will always be remembered as a valued member of the NASA team during good times and bad times. He was often behind the scenes and most Administrators and Center Directors valued his advice. You could often see his impact and he earned the Wiz nickname as he was a Wizard - full of knowledge, common sense and wisdom. God Bless.
May 30, 2012
My thoughts and prayers for the Wisniewski Family. Dick was indeed a brilliant man, he knew alot about the Shuttle Program. When called upon he was right man to help out solve the shuttle problems. Dick worked very hard. He will be sadly be missed by his many, many Shuttle Workers and NASA Friends here at NASA Headquarters and the NASA Centers from all over.
Lora Dunn, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC
Norm Starkey
May 30, 2012
Dick was a longtime NASA colleague who really understood what it took to get people to work together in solving challenging and complex problems. He was an enthusiastic leader who was dedicated to bringing out the best in people, and very tolerant of those who had a habit of mispronouncing his name. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. Dick...I'll see you down the road.
Dick with wife,Janet and Sister Loretta
Bob Mohar
May 29, 2012
Dick was my uncle. I spent a considerable amount of time with him and his family when I was growing up. He took the time to talk and to question. Time goes by and we develop our individual concerns in life; but he was then and will remain a great influence on me.
Sue (Walters) Brousseau
May 29, 2012
We were very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. We will miss seeing him boating by the cottage with his fishing hat and gear. Hold onto to your wonderful memories, especially those at Sand Lake. The Brousseau and Walters Families.
Mike Smith
May 29, 2012
Dick was my friend. I will miss him. We helped NASA develop the Space Shuttle Program. Dick was brilliant. He understood people! He was tough. A key figure in the Shuttle program.
My condolences to his Family.
Lenore McGraw
May 29, 2012
To all the Wisniewski family -It was with great sorrow that I heard of Dick's passing. Dick was one of the most honorable, passionate and enthusiastic colleagues that I ever had the privelege to work with at NASA. He was definitely "one of a kind." My condolences to all.
David Alonso
May 29, 2012
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I was truly blessed to have worked for Dick at NASA. He was gentle,tolerant,loving,courageous,such a good man. He was a dedicated public servant and a wonderful role model for all the young professionals he embraced and encouraged. He was a star that fell to Earth.
David Alonso
May 29, 2012
For the Wisniewski family: I will never forget Dick...what a wonderful person and decent human being. I will forever cherish our personal and professional relationship. Herman Gardner, Retired NASA Headquarters
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN
May 29, 2012
TO THE WISNIEWSKI FAMILY
AS AN OLDE COLLEGUE OF DICK'S (KNOWN TO ALL OF US NASA FOLKS AS WIZ) I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. HE WAS IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE A LEGEND IN NASA. GREAT CO-WORKER; KIND AND GENTLE MAN; EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE; EVERYTHING AN ORGANIZATION COULD HOPE FOR. HE WAS A TERRIFIC GUY AND HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN
May 29, 2012
Dear Mrs. Wisniewski and Family,
Dick Wisniewski was a legend by the time I arrived at NASA in 1992. When he came back to NASA as Deputy AA of the Office of Human Spaceflight, the halls were abuzz with how Dick was going to save the human spaceflight program in a way that would also allow new starts like myself to survive. Now, twenty years later, I owe a debt of gratitude to the way Dick led NASA's downsizing. I'm sure that the example of hard work and leadership he set for later generations will continue to keep the agency and the nation strong. With deepest sympathy for your loss.
Gib Kirkham, NASA Europe Rep, Paris
May 29, 2012
To the Wisniewski Family...I had the pleasure and privilege to work with Wis during the years I was at NASA Headquarters. I cherised our friendship and had sincere respect for him. Fred Gregory
May 29, 2012
Dear Wisniewski family,
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for your loss. We are thinking of and praying for you during this difficult time.
The Sibal Family
Dan Mohar
May 29, 2012
Dear Janet and family,
So very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I have very fond childhood memories of getting up very early in the morning to go fishing with Uncle Dick. He always knew the best spots to go and insisted on complete silence as we fished. I caught my first and last catfish with him. I also have a not so fond memory of climbing a fence in a cow pasture, shoveling manure into garbage cans, loading them into the back of his station wagon and the long ride back to your house. I never saw anyone get so excited about cow manure, but he loved his garden. Being with and conversing with Dick was always an adventure. May he rest in peace.
Steve Ingley
May 29, 2012
I was very sorry to hear the news of Mr. Wisniewski's passing. My condolences to all.
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