Harry G. Kowalcheck

Harry Gregory Kowalcheck, 90, of West Newton, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2016.  He was born October 7, 1925, in West Newton, a son of the late Dmytro and Justyna Pekelka Kowalcheck.  He is a graduate of West Newton High School class of 1943 and Carnegie Tech University.  Harry was baptized at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, and was a dedicated and lifelong parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in West Newton.  At Holy Family, he served as usher since 1946, was an active member of the parish Holy Name Society, taught eighth-grade religious education for many years, and also served on the parish pastoral council.  He was preceded in death by his sisters, Julianna Materkowski, Ann Lazar and Helen Megela; brothers, John and Michael Kowalcheck; and nephew, Thomas Lazar.  He is survived by 14 loving nieces and nephews, who always appreciated his wisdom and cherished him as the heart and soul of the extended Kowalcheck family.  Harry is a veteran of WWII, having served as front-line infantry and messenger in the Ardennes.  At the end of the war, he attended the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, and returned to PA to earn an electrical engineering degree at Carnegie Tech University.  Harry had a brilliant mind, and was offered a PhD fellowship in 1950, which would have led to a professorship there.  He opted instead for hands-on electrical engineering work at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia.  He joined Westinghouse in 1952 as an 'Inventor' for the "Special Projects Lab" in East Pittsburgh, where he engaged in cutting-edge research and development. He worked to design the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine. Harry is named in the specs for the Nautilus, invented electromechanical instrumentation, and is credited for control systems integration. He then worked on the NERVA Astronuclear thermal rocket engine project for future space exploration. Harry is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and was awarded a patent for circuits used for the control of nuclear reactors.  He chose to stay in PA for his family, and finished his career as a civil servant with the US Postal Service in West Newton.  Harry was always proud of his Ukrainian heritage, and passed his knowledge and pride on to his nieces and nephews. Uncle Harry, as his family all knew him, sent more than 60 birthday cards each year to his ever-growing extended family, never forgetting anyone and always keeping in touch with the happenings in all their lives.  He was a life-long learner and avid reader, especially of scientific journals. He was always inquisitive, loved to ask questions, and could converse in detail on any topic from current events and world history, to the newest scientific discoveries and inventions.  Harry was a wonderful and caring man who will be remembered for his caring spirit, devotion, and selfless generosity. He will be greatly missed, always admired and forever loved by his family and friends.  Friends will be received from 3-7 pm Thursday at the J. William McCauley Jr. Funeral Home, 901 Vine Street, West Newton.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday at Holy Family Church, West Newton.  Interment will follow in West Newton Cemetery.  Condolences may be left at http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com