Obituary of Andrew J. Visnovsky , 87

Andrew J. Visnovsky, 87, of Lemont, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at Brookline Village in State College, PA.

He was born November 18th, 1924 in Windber, to George Visnovsky Sr. and Mary Ann (Kromka) of Windber. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen, and their three children: James of Lemont, William of Salt Lake City, and Jeanne of State College. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren. He is predeceased by eight siblings.

Andrew graduated from Windber High School in 1942. He holds a B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an MA from NYU and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Andrew served in both the Marines and the Air Force. He began his career as a ground and explosives officer at a fighter base in the western U.S. In Korea, he was staff safety director for an Aviation Engineering Brigade, responsible for the safety of over 20,000 U.S. troops and 15,000 Koreans assigned to the Brigade. He subsequently held various staff positions at Hq Air Force Systems Command, and Hq USAF ground, explosive and nuclear safety. He concluded his service assigned to Hq Air Force with a duty station as Disaster Preparedness Staff Officer for the Adjutant General of the state of Connecticut where he resided for 25 years. He retired from the United States Air Force after attaining the rank of Colonel.

Andrew was an Air Force ROTC instructor at Penn State from 1955-1957, and was later employed by HRB-Singer as manager of the company’s Technical Information Center. Andrew also retired from Federal Civil Service as an Industrial, Explosives and Weapons Manufacturing Specialist with the Dept. of Defense. In 1986, Andrew was inducted into the Windber Hall of Fame.

Throughout his life and into retirement he remained active in a variety of civic, professional and volunteer organizations. He was a member of the College Township Zoning Hearing Board, was a representative from College Township on the Board of Trustees of Schlow Memorial Library, participated with the Marine Corps League in Toys for Tots and the PA Summer Special Olympics. For many years he officiated at high school and college level football games and was a substitute teacher in the State College Area School District.

Friends will be received for visitation Sunday, Nov.4th from 2-4pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St. State College, with a service following at 4pm, the Rev. Tom Houston officiating. He will be buried in Arlington Cemetery in a private ceremony at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to “Coaches vs. Cancer”, 2302 Spruce Dr. State College, PA 16801.

Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.