Peter Paul Kowalchek, Jr.

Major Peter Paul Kowalchek, Jr., 83, passed on the evening of December 7, 2020 at Walter Reed Hospital. Peter was born on June 23, 1937 in Worcester, MA. He is the son of the late Rose and Peter Kowalchek.

Peter and his wife, Eleanor, moved to the Washington, DC area in 2014 – and, to the Knollwood Military Retirement Community in 2016, after having spent 30 years in Avon, CT. Peter’s later years at Knollwood had been fulfilling, where he and his wife enjoyed meeting fellow residents and participating in the numerous social activities offered by the community. He particularly enjoyed weekly Karoke nights and participated in many of Knollwood’s musical productions.

Peter joined the Civil Air Patrol while in high school. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, where he also had the opportunity to serve in Germany. His 23-year military career encompassed a variety of positions, including Weapons Director, Senior Director of Flight Operations, and Group Standards Evaluation Officer.

After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Peter was employed by a division of Emerson Electric Company. With a career spanning 37 years, his expertise was widely respected within the engineering and sales sectors of the company.

Peter and his wife had been avid sailors for over 30 years, having sailed the waters of New England (Mystic, Newport, Block Island, and Martha’s Vineyard) and Long Island. They spent over 50 summers on Martha’s Vineyard where they enjoyed sailing, swimming, and relaxing/reading on their porch. Peter also enjoy traveling, having participated on various trips throughout Europe with his wife and exploring the Caribbean and Mexico on various cruises.

Peter is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Eleanor Kowalchek; a daughter, Sandra Kowalchek, of North Bethesda, MD; a son, Scott Kowalchek, his wife, Nichola, and two grand-children, Britain and Kira, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Peter also leaves behind two siblings, Ken Kowalchek, of Hampton, New Hampshire; Marie Bell, and her husband, Peter, of Vestavia Hills, AL. Peter was also pre-deceased by his older sister, Joan R. Trefethen, of Dayton, OH.

A memorial service will be held at Knollwood Military Retirement Community at a date to be determined in 2021; and, a Catholic chapel service and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined in 2021.