EDWARD F. NOWAK

July 17, 1917 - Nov. 8, 2007
SOUTH BEND - Edward F. Nowak, 90, born in Ludington, MI, on July 17, 1917, expired on November 8, 2007, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, following a long illness.

In 1924, his parents, Frank and Theodora, relocated in South Bend, IN, where Edward graduated from Central High School with the class of '35. He then started what would be a 42-year career with the Torrington Company, Bantam Bearings Division (formerly on Sample Street).

In the evenings he was a student at the University of Notre Dame School of Engineering where he earned several certificates which enabled him to advance from a factory job to the position of Service Engineer. His work took him to locations in South America, Europe, Mexico and most U.S. states to investigate and solve problems on some of those countries' largest bearings. He co-authored an article on bearing maintenance with Roger Ebaugh, which was published in Iron and Steel Engineer and subsequently translated into several languages.

He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Kaminski in 1940 and they raised three children in their Frederickson Street home: Dr. Kathleen Bondy of Conway, AR, A. Nowak of Chicago, IL, and Paul E. Nowak, who preceded him in death on December 6, 2001. Edward was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Parish since 1956 and a member of the Santa Maria 3rd degree Council and Father Nieuwland 4th degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus. Fishing for bass and perch was his favorite form of recreation, and the largest bass was traditionally saved for Christmas Eve dinner. As a skilled mechanical engineer, Mr. Nowak designed and built three successive vacation trailers used by his family each summer to return to the UP/Ludington, MI, area. He also made furniture and toys for his children and grandchildren in his wood shop. In the 40s, Ed could often be found playing saxophone or clarinet with a local polka band on the weekends.

His wife of 67 years, his daughters, 6 grandchildren (Paul, Jr., Christopher, Nicholas, Marienicole, Timothy, and Monica), and 4 great-grandchildren survive him. All his siblings preceded him in death: Mary Rafalski, Sophie Strozeski, Dorothy Way, Thad Nowak and Jerome (Harry) Nowak.

To honor Edward's wishes, there will be no visitation or public services. A memorial Mass is pending. The family would like to thank the staff at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Hamilton Communities for all the wonderful care they provided.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 11, 2007.

02/17/2023 EJS