James Dominic Penar, Ph.D.

PENAR, JAMES D. Ph.D May 27, 2014 Age 71 Beloved son of the late Joseph Penar and the late Margaret Penar Fleck. Dear brother of Fredrick Penar (Ellen), Elizabeth Crucitt (Michael, MD), Lawrence Penar (late Laura) and Paul Penar, MD (Dorothea). Also survived by thirteen nieces, nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Jim was born in Detroit to Joseph and Margaret Penar on August 22, 1942. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1960. He then attended University of Michigan, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in nuclear physics in 1964. He first worked for the Department of the Army in Washington, D.C. as a civilian employee in a lab run by the US Army. In 1968 he received his Masters Degree in nuclear physics from the University of Maryland and his Ph.D. in 1974 from the American University in Washington, D.C. He continued his employment with the Defense Department until 1978 when he accepted an offer from TRW Defense and Space Systems in Los Angeles, residing in Redondo Beach. He retired at 62 after moves and transfers within the company lastly in San Diego, California. He traveled extensively throughout his life beginning with spending the summer of 1964 traveling throughout Europe with his college roommate and they became lifelong friends. He traveled through Asia and the South Pacific several times. Thailand was a favorite stop. He enjoyed taking cruises, one of his favorites being the Panama Canal Cruise. He enjoyed spoiling his nieces. He flew his niece Becky to California twenty years ago when she was a senior in high school, giving her the Cinderella treatment with stage shows, clothing and restaurants. In 1964 he began organizing and researching a family tree. He was able to trace the family name in Poland back to 1740. The family name never had the suffix "ski" common to many Polish surnames. The research was not only lineal but extensively lateral. Jim passed away after a short illness at home on Tuesday May 27, 2014. A memorial service will take place Friday, August 1, 10:00 am, at White Chapel Cemetery.Family requests donations be made to a Catholic church of your choice for a Mass.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236