Richard Nalesnik

Dr. Richard Peter Nalesnik, Sr. Oldest Son of the Oldest Son Professor, Government Executive, Engineer, Dedicated Family Man Dr. Richard Peter Nalesnik, Sr., the oldest son of the deceased Peter and Martha (Valites) Nalesnik, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2011, surrounded by members of his loving family at his residence in Bowie, MD. He was 75 years old. Dr. Nalesnik was born in Hazleton, PA on April 30, 1935 and spent his youth and formative years in Nesquehoning, PA. Professor - Dr. Nalesnik taught at several local universities during his professional career. Some of the universities and courses included: George Washington University - Environmental Engineering; University of Maryland/University College - Environmental Management; American University - Environmental Systems Management; and Johns Hopkins University - Environmental Policy. He also frequently lectured at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Washington, DC. Dr. Nalesnik has published several papers and reports and directed studies on topics in environmental management. Federal Career - Dr. Nalesnik's federal career encompassed a period of 32 years. From 1986 until his retirement in 2006, Dr. Nalesnik was a Physical Science Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Research and Development, Washington, D.C. In the capacity of an Environmental Scientist, Dr. Nalesnik was involved with Quality Assurance, Superfund Oversite, and Acid Deposition. From 1972 to 1974, Dr. Nalesnik served in the capacity as the Special Assistant for Legislation and Enforcement to the Deputy Assistant Administrator of Water Program Operations in Washington, DC, and from 1971 to1972 as the Deputy Regional Administrator in Philadelphia, PA for the Environmental Protection Agency. From 1966 to 1969, Dr. Nalesnik was the Director of the National Water Quality Standards Division and from 1969 to 1971, he was the Director of Program Review and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. He was a Policy Analyst at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 1965 to 1966 and a Physical Science Administrator/Senior Policy Analyst at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration in Washington, DC from 1962 to 1965. Private Sector Career - From 1984 to1986, Dr. Nalesnik was Director of Information Systems Technology and Business Development at Martin Marietta Corporation. He was President of Nalesnik Associates, a privately held environmental consulting firm, from 1979 to 1984. From 1974 to 1979, he was Vice President and Manager of Resources & Technology at the U.S. National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Aerospace Industry - Dr. Nalesnik was Assistant to the Director/Associate Engineer at AVCO Corporation in Wilmington, MA from 1956 to 1962. From 1955 to 1956, he was the Group Leader of Helicopter Airframe Assembly for the United Aircraft Corporation, Sikorsky Division, in Bridgeport, CT. Education - Dr. Nalesnik received his Ph.D. in Public Administration/Technology of Management with honors from the American University, Washington, DC in 1973. He received a Masters of Science degree in Public Communications with honors from Boston University, Boston, MA in 1963 and a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering Management with honors in 1960 from the same university. He graduated from the Bullis Preparatory School in Silver Spring, MD in 1954. He attended the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, Class of 1958, in 1954. Religious Activities - Dr. Nalesnik was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Greek Catholic Byzantine Rite Church in Nesquehoning, PA in 1935. He graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School in Nesquehoning, PA in 1948 and St. Ann's High School in Lansford, PA in 1953. He served as an Altar Boy at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and at St. Mary's Greek Catholic Byzantine Rite Church in Nesquehoning, PA from 1944 to 1948. For 35 years, Dr. Nalesnik served as the Head Lector at St. Pius Catholic Church in Bowie, MD. He also served as the Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Pius for 20 years. He attended the Deaconate Program at the Josephite Pastoral Center in Washington, DC from 1972 to 1976. In 1976, he was commissioned as a Lector and Ordinary Minister of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC by Archbishop Eugene Marino. He participated in the Communion on the Mall during the visit of Pope John Paul II and helped distribute communion to the attendees in 1979. Dr. Nalesnik also served as director of the church activities for the Knights of Columbus for 5 years winning several state awards and recognitions for the church activities program. Military Career and Affiliations - Dr. Nalesnik was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve for 10 years and was a Life Time Member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association. He was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Additionally, Dr. Nalesnik was of member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Boston University Chapter. He held additional positions as Director of the Maryland Jaycees and Secretary and President of the Bowie Jaycees. He was the Director of the Bowie Area Community Hospital Foundation. Family - Dr. Nalesnik is survived by his devoted and supportive wife of 53 years, Evelyn Stella (Kmiec) and his 5 children: Cheryl Gorsky (Edward) of Frederick, MD; Richard Peter Nalesnik, Jr. of Poolesville, MD; Christopher Nalesnik (Tracey) of Owings, MD; Matthew Nalesnik (Betsy) of Cary, NC; and Elizabeth Harman (Dwayne) of Annapolis, MD. He is also survived by 2 siblings, his younger brother Bernard James Nalesnik, Sr. (Barbara) of Knightdale, NC and his younger sister Mary Bunnie Bryce (Peter Alexander, M.D.) of Washington, DC; 19 grandchildren: Steven, Stephanie, Edward, Emily and Carolyn Gorsky; Ryan, Meghan, Abigail, and Allison Nalesnik; Brian and Jennifer Nalesnik; Carolyn and Ellie Chiurco; Michael, Timothy, Sean, and Jeffrey Nalesnik; Benjamin and Nathan Sanders; 1 great grandchild, Julianna Gorsky; and loving nieces and nephews Sheri Dawn Bryce Dye (God Daughter), Peter Alexander Bryce, II (God Son), Bernard James Nalesnik, Jr., Catherine Nalesnik, Beth Laneve, and Eric Batchelor. Special Friends - Balla Krishna and Neil Janelle. Recreational Interests - Richard loved sports and music. He was an avid baseball and football fan - sports that he actively participated in during his high school and college years. He especially loved polka music, which he listened to every Saturday morning on the radio. He loved to dance with Evelyn, his favorite polka partner whom he met at a polka dance 56 years ago and who became his partner in life and on the dance floor ever since that meeting. He enjoyed traveling all over the world and cruising with Evelyn. He played the piano and the accordion. But his most rewarding interest was spending time with his family, relating stories and imparting wisdom with great humor, as only he could do. Requiem Mass - Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM St. Pius X Catholic Church Bowie, Maryland Internment - Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:30 AM Crownsville Veterans Cemetery Crownsville, Maryland Repast - Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 12:30 PM Knights of Columbus Hall Bowie, Maryland Memorial Fund or Donations - In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to the poor and homeless in care of: National Council of the United States Society of Saint Vincent de Paul c/o St. Pius X Catholic Church 14720 Annapolis Road Bowie, MD 20715 Special Thanks - Dr. Scharfman and Staff, Dr. Waterfield and Staff, and the ancillary medical personnel at the Johns Hopkins University for their knowledge and professionalism. Prayer in Loving Memory God Saw Richard God saw he was getting tired And a cure was not to be. So he put His arms around him And whispered, "Come with Me." With tearful eyes we watched him suffer And saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly We could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating Hard working hands got rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. Author Unknown Thank you for helping us honor Richard who lived his life with love and strength from the Holy Spirit.