Dr. John C. Szczepanski

Dr. John C. Szczepanski, 58, previously of Stow, MA and more recently of Huntsville, Alabama, died February 11th at Huntsville Hospital. He was the husband of Christina Stavnicky Szczepanski.

Born in Bethlehem, PA, son of Helen 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 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, in 1971. Additionally, he completed his Master of Science Degrees in Computer Science and Physics and earned his PhD in Physics from the 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 Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA, 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 in Lexington, MA 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, AL.

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.

In addition to his wife Christina, he is survived by his mother, Helen Szczepanski of Bethlehem, PA; 2 sons, John Szczepanski of Tampa, FL and Michael Szczepanski of Clarksville, TN; a daughter, Kristina MacPherson of Newton, MA; 2 brothers, Joseph Szczepanski of Albuquerque, NM, and Thomas Szczepanski of Lawton, OK; 2 sisters, Rita Kapun and Rosemarie Szczepanski of Bethlehem, PA; and 5 grandchildren with another soon to arrive.

Arrangements are by the Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA where a public viewing will be held Sunday, February 17, 2008 from 6-9 p.m. and again in the funeral home Monday, February 18, 2008 from 10-11:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 18, 2008 at 12 p.m. at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church at 617 Pierce St. A burial will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at the West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/NCI/donations on behalf of Dr. John Szczepanski.