Quentin E. Dolecek's Obituary
Quentin E. Dolecek, age 77, of Georgetown, DE, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018. He was born in Sioux Falls, SD, on Monday, May 27, 1940, son of the late Richard L Dolecek, PhD and Avis Elaine (Preusch) Dolecek.
Dr. Dolecek made his career as an Electronic and Biomedical Research Scientist; he was most recently employed at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, where he worked for 18 years before his retirement in 2001. Previously he worked for David W. Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center from 1958 to 1980 where he researched underwater sonar as well as biomedical engineering applications. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1959-1967 on the USS Independence. Dr. Dolecek also served as adjunct faculty in aerospace research at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
Throughout his career, Dr. Dolecek received many prestigious awards and was recognized by his peers as a standout in his field. He received his first letter of Commendation from the Deputy under the Secretary of Defense for Research and Advanced Technology in 1984. He was named one of the Top Ten Technology Talents in 1989 by Washington Technology and was one of Marquis Who's Who of Computer Graphics. In 1990, Dr. Dolecek received the Washington Society of Engineers Award for Outstanding Achievements, as well as a Letter of Commendation from the Naval Technical Intelligence Center. He created, patented, and published multiple ideas and wide range of works that are still referenced and respected today including early towed array sonar used on submarines and ships to improve detection of low noise emitting threats and precursor technology enabling modern robotic minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Dolecek liked to travel, was an avid reader, enjoyed going to the theatre and listening to live music. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a co-leader of Girl Scout Troop #1908 in Montgomery County, MD from 1974-1979 and an active member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Beltsville, MD. More recently, Dr. Dolecek was a member and avid supporter of the Georgetown Delaware Historical Society and the American Legion. He was also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Sigma Xi, and the American Association of Artificial Intelligence.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Dolecek was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Elwyn H. Dolecek in 2005 and his grandson, John Patrick Beattie in 2016. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Patricia Naymick Dolecek of Georgetown, DE; his daughters: Koralleen Stavish of Takoma Park, MD, and Kathryn Bertany of Boise, ID; his grandchildren: Jennifer Stavish of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Stavish and his fiancée, Clair Briggs of Seattle, WA, Victoria Stavish of Columbus, OH and Alexandra Beattie of New York, NY; his brother, Captain Gayle R. Dolecek and his wife, Judy, of Columbia, MD; and his beloved loyal companion of 14 years, his cat Kitz.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Georgetown Historical Society, 510 S Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947, or to Delaware Hospice at 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Services will be held at a later date.
Please sign Mr. Dolecek's online guestbook located on this site.
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