Raymond Kowalchuk, Sr.

OBITUARY for M. Raymond Kowalchuk, Sr.(1935-2022)

M. RAYMOND KOWALCHUK

Mr. Kowalchuk was born on October 26, 1935 in Chester PA, to the late Michael and Catherine (Balay) Kowalchuk.  He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Collins in July 1958, lived in Chester and Broomall, and has lived in Plymouth Meeting since 1966.  

He was preceded in death by his Father, Mother and his oldest son Michael. He is survived by his loving wife of over 64 years, Elizabeth (Betty), his two children –  Paul (Deborah) of Jenkintown, PA and Betsie (Lyle) Zuck of Snellville, GA. and his loving grandchildren Alexander Kowalchuk (Kristen), Lauren (Sean) McBane, Brandon Zuck, Morgan (Noah) Zehr, Allison (Liam) McBane,  Paulina Kowalchuk, and his 3 great grandchildren, Fiona, Flora and Felicity McBane, as well as his step-great-grandson Wesley Linen and his many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kowalchuk was a retired Electrical Engineer, Musician and perpetual tinkerer.  He enjoyed repairing radios, TV’s and other electronics devices.  He also had a great love of convertibles, owning a variety of them over the years.  He spent many hours in various computer applications, and his hobbies included digitizing pictures, slides and film conversion, as well as the digital restoration of old pictures and home movies. He also dedicated much time to keeping the Squirrels away from the backyard birdfeeders.

He worked for AEL, Inc. in Colmar, Pa as a Senior Staff consultant for 37 yrs. in the development of Biomedical Electronics, Cable TV Systems, Radar anti-missile Warning Receivers, Emergency beacons for NASA, and Surveillance systems for the US Intelligence Agencies and Federal Law Enforcement.  He also provided consulting services to the US Intelligence Agencies and to Federal Law Enforcement.

Mr. Kowalchuk later worked for General Instrument/Motorola in the development and test of 2-way cable equipment for PPV and ON-Demand.  He supervised installation of these systems at over 150 cable systems around the country

He was also an accomplished musician, playing the Trumpet and French horn in his younger years.  He played in Concert and Marching bands in Delaware County.  He was a member of the Musicians Union (local 484) for many years

He was a Member of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chester PA, until moving to Plymouth Meeting, then attending SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport, PA

Mr. Kowalchuk was a Life Member of the IEEE, The IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, The Society of Old Crows, The Audio Engineering Society and SASA. 

Relatives and friends are invited to The Bernard S. Gutkowski Funeral Home, 305 Jefferson Street, Swedesburg, PA 19405, 610-275-6385, Keith J. Murphy, F.D., on Saturday, November 12, where his family will greet guests from 9:30 a.m. until his Memorial Service begins at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. The family would appreciate memorial donations to SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 519 Union Ave., Bridgeport, PA 19405, The Salvation Army of Norristown, 533 Swedes Street, Norristown, PA 19401 or The Franklin Institute (https:www.fi.edu/support/individual-giving-membership).

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