Paul Edward Baloga

Paul Edward Baloga passed from this life on July 26, 2019 in Altadena, California at the age of 99. He was born in Kluknava, Czechoslovakia on May 1, 1920, the only child of Paul Peter Baloga and Mary (Sedlak) Baloga.

With the family immigrating to America, Paul grew up poor in coal-mining towns where his father worked, first in Phillips and then in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from North Uniontown Township High School and the Indiana Institute of Technology (IIT) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

In 1950, after working for several companies in the Los Angeles area, Paul landed his dream job as an engineer for the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the Aeronautics Department. His primary focus was on wind tunnel experiments and other projects with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL.) He also provided guidance to many Ph.D. candidates. He was an innovator, developing a host of new technical procedures and obtaining patents on many of them. Caltech was his “home away from home” until his retirement in September 1982 at the age of 62.

Paul married his first wife, Ethel Jane (Hansen) Greene on November 12, 1950. In addition to her daughter Judy, from a previous marriage, Paul and Ethel were blessed with four children of their own: David Michael Baloga, Paulette Mary Baloga, Benjamin John Baloga and Christopher Thomas Baloga. Paul got the big family he always wanted.

In 1958, the Baloga family purchased a home in Altadena, at 1170 E. Mendocino Street, where he resided the rest of his life.

Paul and Ethel were very devoted to each other and worked very hard to support the family. Ethel was employed as a school secretary. Sadly, she passed away on February 1, 1973 at the age of 53, leaving a young family for Paul to raise.

After several years as a widower, Paul married Florence Angeline (Homan) Berg on April 21, 1980 in Glendale, California. Florence had three grown children of her own: Eddie, Virginia, and Johnny. Paul and Florence enjoyed dancing and music, as well as activities with their very large extended family. They enjoyed a very happy life together until Florence passed away in 2008 at the age of 98.

Paul was a devout Catholic and a good, honest, hard-working family man. He was very proud of his Slovakian heritage, his humble beginnings and many accomplishments in life, including raising five wonderful children. He firmly believed the American Dream made all of this possible.

Paul is survived by his 5 children and their spouses: Judy Greene Alder (Byron), David Baloga (Chrisann), Paulette Baloga Cudio (Carlo), Benjamin Baloga (Lisa) and Chris Baloga; and 2 step-children and their spouses: Virginia Raine (Bob), Johnny Berg (Ruth Ann); and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.